Healthcare industry

Memorial Hermann Health System, one of Houston's pioneering health care providers, plans a $650 million expansion at its Texas Medical City campus.

Moody's Investors Service boosted Advocate Sherman Hospital's rating by one level to Baa1 in recognition of its acquisition by the fiscally healthier Advocate Health Care Network last year.

Genesis Healthcare, an already junk-rated two-hospital system located outside Zanesville, Ohio, was downgraded by Moody's amid weak cash-flow margins.

Oconee Regional Medical Center's failure to resolve covenant violations prompted Standard & Poor's to cut the Georgia hospital operator's ratings to CCC from B.

A new Austin medical school will share in the proceeds of a $285 million revenue bond issue from the University of Texas System.

New York's State Department of Health is this year's winner of the Citizens Budget Commission prize of public service innovation.

Three Detroit-area hospital systems said Friday they plan to merge into a single $2.8 billion system.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe called a special session for March 24 because the House and Senate were unable to agree on a state budget or expanding Medicare.

After a battle over how to expand Medicaid coverage in the state, Arkansas lawmakers have approved a $5 billion budget.

The Illinois Finance Authority board signed on Centegra Health System's plans to borrow $200 million for a new hospital and an agreement to assist with obtaining ratings on a financing tied to the proposed Illiana toll road.

California State Controller John Chiang released a report showing the state's health care liabilities total $65 billion and suggested a way to reduce that amount.

Missouri-based BJC Health System sold $200 million of debt to finance various projects including an expansion of its cancer center in St. Louis County in partnership with Washington University School of Medicine.

Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook on HealthEast Care System's junk bond rating to positive, signaling the Minnesota system could see a return to investment grade territory if its fiscal performance remains on track.

Missouri House members proposed an alternative bonding proposal to one announced by Gov. Jay Nixon to finance a new state psychiatric facility.

Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings have downgraded a health care system with hospitals in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, ahead of its $108 million refunding deal.

At the request of a healthcare workers union, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer has asked the state's debt commission to study the disclosures non-profit hospitals make to the bond market.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Missouri received a first time rating of A3 from Moody's Investors Service.

Standard & Poor's has downgraded the ratings on Northern Inyo Local County Hospital District's revenue bonds to junk.

The rise in high-deductible health plans could bring more pressure to bear on an already pressured non-profit health care sector, Fitch Ratings said.

Miami-Dade County's repeal of employee healthcare contributions is a credit negative for Florida's largest county, Moody's Investors Service said Feb. 13.