Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the "Ba2" rating on Syracuse, N.Y.-based St. Joseph's Hospital Center's bonds, affecting approximately $204 million.
The outlook was revised from negative to stable.
The rating affirmation was supported by a number of factors, including expected integration benefits from St. Joseph's status as a member of Trinity Health, limited capital needs and reduced liquidity risks following completion of an IT installation.
Failure to improve operating margins and increase leverage could pressure the rating. However, St. Joseph's position as a leading healthcare provider partially mitigates these risks.