Connecticut Gov. Jody Rell wants to suspend the state's adult education program for licensed practical nurses, which trains about 350 LPNs every 16 months to work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other settings. But some in the legislature are not happy about it.
A Rand Corp. survey reveals that most California hospitals are failing to comply with a state law requiring them to furnish price quotes upon request for a host of medical services.
The COBRA subsidies contained in this year’s federal economic stimulus legislation ended Monday for several million Americans who signed up for the subsidy in March.
Legal immigrants in western Massachusetts who are entitled to care under a state health insurance plan will have to wait even longer for care than anticipated.
Tony Garr made a sound argument on behalf of healthcare reform in Tennessee this week. Garr notes that 95 percent of Tennesseans will have guaranteed health coverage under reform, which could advance economic growth in the state.
Health system bond ratings
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'A' long-term rating to Maryland Health and Higher Education Facilities Authority's $250 million series 2010 revenue and refunding bonds, issued for University of Maryland Medical System.
Fitch Ratings has upgraded the rating on $15.2 million outstanding Tom Green County (Texas) Health Facilities Development Corp. (on behalf of Shannon Health System), hospital revenue bonds, series 2001, to 'BBB+' from 'BBB'.
Fitch assigned a 'BBB+' rating to Resurrection Health Care's expected issuance of approximately $114.7 million of series 2009 refunding revenue bonds through the Illinois Finance Authority. In addition, Fitch downgraded to 'BBB+' from 'A-' the ratings on Resurrection Health Care's, Illinois approximately $585.1 million of outstanding bonds.
Fitch has assigned an 'A+' rating to the approximately $88.4 million 2009 series X City of Wichita, Kansas hospital facilities refunding revenue bonds issued on behalf of Via Christi Health System, Inc. The agency also affirmed Via Christi's outstanding debt at 'A+'.
Standard & Poor's has assigned its 'AA' long-term rating to the Illinois Health Facility Authority's $237.525 million series 2009A, 2009B, 2009C, and 2009D hospital revenue and refunding bonds issued for Advocate Health Care Network. The ratings agency also affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating on various series of bonds issued by the authority on behalf of AHCN. Additionally, Fitch assigned an 'AA' rating to AHCN's anticipated $237.2 million of series 2010A-D bonds to be issued through the Illinois Finance Authority. Fitch also affirmed the 'AA' long-term ratings on Advocate's approximately $917.9 million of outstanding bonds and the 'F1+' short-term rating on approximately $132.8 million of series 2003C and 2008A annual put bonds based on Advocate's internal liquidity.