S&P Global Ratings revised the rating on Longview, Texas-based Good Shepherd Health System's series 2010, series 2012C and series 2015 bonds to "A" from "B-" and removed the ratings from CreditWatch developing.
"The upgrade is based on the finalization of a member substitution in which Christus Health became the sole corporate member of Good Shepherd Health System," said S&P analyst Patrick Zagar.
The ratings agency also assigned an "A+" long-term rating to the health system's $69.2 million of series 2017A revenue refunding bonds, which will be used to fully refund the health system's series 2015 bonds. Once GSHS' merger with the Irving, Texas-based health system is finalized, S&P will remove the rating from the refunded bonds.
The outlook is stable, reflecting S&P Global Rating's expectation Christus Health's will maintain its strong market position and will build on its promise to improve GSHS' fiscal 2017 operating income levels.