Healthcare industry

Moody's Investors Service downgraded the issuer rating for Torrance Memorial Medical Center to A3 even as the Southern California hospital looked to complete construction on its new patient tower six months early.

The Internal Revenue Service has closed an audit of series 2005E and series 2007B hospital revenue bonds issued by the Highlands County, Fla. Health Facilities Authority with no change to the bonds’ tax-exempt status.

Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook to negative on Indiana-based Franciscan Alliance, affecting more than $1.1 billion of debt.

Non-profit hospitals in states that have opted not to expand their Medicaid programs under the new federal health care law will face financial problems and rating pressure next year, Fitch Ratings warned.

Fitch downgraded the rating of Florida's Citrus Memorial Hospital to B-minus from B after the embattled hospital paid off some bank bonds early.

Moody's Investors Service revised Citrus Valley Health Partners outlook to positive from stable and affirmed its Ba2 bond rating affecting $67.7 million in rated debt.

California counties' savings from the health insurance expansion under the Affordable Care Act will be offset by other state funding cuts, according to Moody's.

An Ohio legislative board Monday approved an expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the new federal health care law, marking a victory for Gov. John Kasich.

Early voting is under way in Miami-Dade County where voters are being asked to approve $830 million in general obligation bonds for the public Jackson Health System.

In a complex multi-state issue, Catholic Health Initiatives expects to price about $1.2 billion of debt for its network of non-profit hospitals.

Arkansas lawmakers approved a plan to set aside $43 million in surplus money to limit increases in teacher health premiums.

Internal Revenue Service officials are taking a position in the tax dispute over $427.2 million of bonds issued by the Village Center Community Development District that they previously said they would not take, according to the CDD's lawyer.

Moody's Investors Service has placed Methodist Medical Center of Illinois' A2 rating on review for a potential upgrade in anticipation of the hospital becoming part of the higher rated Iowa Health System's obligated group.

Chicago plans to begin scaling back on retiree healthcare premium subsidies in its 2014 budget even though a legal challenge to its plan to phase out the subsidies for most retirees faces a legal challenge.

Catholic Health East won its second upgrade in as many weeks after its merger with Michigan-based Trinity Health as the new system prepares to come to market with $305 million of bonds.

Florida's Citrus Memorial Hospital is poised to be sold to a for-profit chain, and redeem its junk bonds with proceeds from the deal.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the debt of Catholic Health East to Aa2 from A2 to reflect its merger with Trinity Health.

A court ruling that overturned a freeze on retiree healthcare cost inflation in Los Angeles could be a credit negative for state and local governments, according to Fitch Ratings.

The Tuomey Healthcare System in South Carolina said it is appealing a jury verdict ordering it to pay $277.4 million for False Claims Act violations.

Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook on its A2 rating for Mount Sinai Hospital to negative from stable, reflecting "meaningful financial and integration risks" regarding its merger with Continuum Health Partners.