Healthcare industry

Including more poor residents in Louisiana’s Medicaid health-care program would cost the state almost $4 billion over 10 years, the head of the state health department said.

Missouri's Mercy Health saw strong retail and institutional interest on its $250 million new-money issue for capital projects -- including the replacement of its Joplin hospital destroyed by a May 2011 tornado.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder last week said the state has still not made a final decision about whether to create its own health insurance exchange or let the federal government run one as part of the new federal health care law.

Moody's has placed New York University Hospitals Center's A3 bond rating under review, after the continued closure of Tisch Hospital following Hurricane Sandy.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is fending off allegations that the $3 billion cancer research bond program that won statewide voter approval in 2007 is funding projects for his campaign contributors.

Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the rating on Barnabas Health, N.J., to Baa1 from Baa2, and revised the outlook to stable from positive.

A one-hospital system in northern Ohio with low-investment grade ratings saw its $53 million deal oversubscribed by more than four times, according to the underwriter.

Pasadena, Calif.-based Episcopal Communities & Services received an A-minus rating and stable outlook from Fitch Ratings ahead of plans to refund $67.5 million in CCRC bonds.

The Illinois Finance Authority advanced $430 Million in deals for projects planned by the University of Chicago Medical Center, Advocate Health Care Network, the Franciscan Communities, and the Big Ten Conference.

Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan announced last week he will step down by the end of the year, a move largely seen as clearing the way for a run for Detroit mayor.

The small Mendocino Coast Health Care District in Northern California has filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection.

Moody's downgraded to Ca from Caa1 the bond rating of West Penn Allegheny Health System, which is embroiled in a messy merger battle with Highmark.

The University of Texas plans to quickly form a steering committee, hire an inaugural dean and recruit faculty members for a new medical school approved by Austin voters in last week's election.

Texas lawmakers filed bills Monday for their 2013 session to boost state revenues as the state struggles to cope with a looming Medicaid shortfall and restore school funding.

Indiana’s chief budget official Adam Horst announced last week he is leaving the post to join Indiana University Health after less than a year on the job.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care Network will sell $150 million of new-money this week to finance projects including a new patient tower at one of its 10 Illinois hospitals.

A judge on Friday granted Highmark's motion for a preliminary injunction against West Penn Allegheny Health System, blocking the speculative-rated health system from seeking other suitors for an affiliation.

The re-election of President Obama is a credit neutral event for non-profit hospitals, but looming changes in the federal landscape tied to the new health care law and budget deficit, present challenges, Moody's Investors Service said in a report Wednesday.

Illinois-based Centegra Health System will offer up $200 million of mostly refunding bonds Thursday as it seeks to lay the groundwork for future issuance to finance a new hospital.

Cook County announced it received a long-awaited federal approval for a so-called 1115 Medicaid waiver, allowing the county to expand its Medicaid program.