Healthcare industry

CHICAGO — Michigan-based Trinity Health Corp. will bring the year's largest health care deal to market next week when it sells $648 million of debt, some of which will finance its recent acquisition of Loyola University Health System.

Moody's Investor Service has revised its outlook to positive from stable on Aspirus Wausau Hospital's A2 rating in recognition of strong operating profitability for a third consecutive year.

CHICAGO — After investors agreed to take a haircut in a restructuring last year, an upscale retirement facility in downtown Chicago is again asking bondholders for more breathing room.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York has approved $1.5 billion in financing for education and health care.

WASHINGTON - States' unfunded liabilities for health care and other non-pension post-employment benefits totaled $545 billion in fiscal 2010, Standard & Poor's said in a report issued Thursday.

California Gov. Jerry Brown is weighing one bill that secures bondholders if a hospital declares bankruptcy, and has already signed another that proponents said could help corporate investment in municipal bonds.

DALLAS - Texas Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, outlined a 10-part, 10-year plan Tuesday to build an academic hospital and medical school at the University of Texas in Austin.

The Louisiana Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget last week accepted a revised business plan for a $1.088 billion state hospital in New Orleans.

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority plans to sell $260 million of fixed-rate, tax-exempt Series A revenue bonds for Hartford HealthCare Corp. on Thursday, following a one-day retail order period.

Moody’s Investors Service has revised its outlook to positive from stable on the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics’ A1 rating due to its improved fiscal performance.

The Internal Revenue Service has completed an audit of $51.1 million of auction-rate securities the Orange County, Fla., Health Facilities Authority issued in 2005 for an Orlando health care provider without changing the tax-exempt status of the bonds.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley approved the sale of bankrupt nonprofit Quincy Medical Center to for-profit Steward Health Care System LLC, while imposing many conditions.

CHICAGO - A union between St. Louis-based Ascension Health and Arlington Heights, Ill.-based Alexian Brothers Health System advanced Thursday with the announcement that the two had signed a definitive agreement for Alexian's acquisition by the nation's largest nonprofit health care system.

CHICAGO - The Illinois Finance Authority board this week approved Novi, Mich.-based Trinity Health Corp.'s issue of up to $600 million tied to its acquisition of Loyola University Health System in suburban Chicago, and advanced a Midwestern disaster area revenue bond issue for Cargill Inc.

Moody’s Investors Service Tuesday downgraded Mary Washington Healthcare’s rating to Baa1 from A3.

The New York State Dormitory Authority plans to sell $491 million of Series 2011A revenue bonds for the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Obligated Group through negotiated bid on Thursday, following a one-day retail order period.

Fitch Ratings downgraded to A from A-plus its rating on Reid Hospital and Health Services last week, warning that the Richmond, Ind., facility continues to suffer from operating losses. Fitch revised the outlook to stable from negative.

Chicago-based Mercy Hospital is discussing some form of a union with Novi, Mich.-based Trinity Health Corp., according to published reports.

CHICAGO - A nursing home in Gary, Ind., has skipped monthly payments that fund debt service since last March, forcing the bond trustee to dip into a reserve account to cover a Sept. 1 interest payment.

DALLAS - The board overseeing the construction of a $1.1 billion Louisiana state hospital in New Orleans unanimously adopted a revised no-debt financial plan on Thursday.