Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "Ba2" rating on Erie, Pa.-based St. Vincent Hospital's outstanding bonds, affecting $82 million of debt.
The affirmation is a result of several factors, including the hospital's improving margins, stable but modest cash position and affiliation with Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network, both based in Pittsburgh. Moody's also acknowledged the hospital's very thin operating performance, highly competitive market and declining patient volume.
The outlook is negative, reflecting Moody's expectation that the hospital's operating performance will remain low in the near-term, limiting balance sheet growth.