Moody's Investors Service has assigned an "A2" rating to Ill.-based OSF Healthcare System's $367 million of proposed series 2015A fixed-rate bonds.
Moody's has also upgraded the rating on OSF's outstanding bonds to "A2" from "A3."
The rating assignment is based on several factors, including OSF's large, multi-site system and expanding presence in several markets in northern and central Illinois.
The system's challenges include higher-than-average direct leverage and strong competition in most markets.
The rating outlook is stable, reflecting Moody's expectation that operating cashflow margins will stabilize in the range of levels achieved in fiscal year 2014 and year-to-date FY 2015.