HEALTH SYSTEM HAS APPROXIMATELY $86 MILLION OF RATED DEBT
New York, December 01, 2011 -- Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the Baa2 rating on Holy Redeemer
Health System's (HRHS) outstanding Series 1997 and 2006 bonds.
HRHS has approximately $86 million of outstanding rated debt,
incorporating the recent redemption of $21.9 million of
Series 1997 bonds using proceeds from a taxable bank loan as described
in more detail below. The outlook is negative.
HRHS is a Catholic health care system comprised of a 263-bed acute
care medical surgical hospital; long-term care facilities
and communities in Pennsylvania with a total of 526 independent living
and 122 personal care beds, 416 skilled nursing beds and 30 transitional
housing units; four home health agencies along with three Medicare
certified hospices; a freestanding ambulatory surgery center;
and a physician corporation as well as other various affiliates.
RATINGS RATIONALE:
The Baa2 rating reflects HRHS' diversified healthcare services,
unrestricted cash levels, and largely fixed rate debt structure.
These credit strengths are offset by ongoing pressure on hospital patient
volumes and net patient revenue growth and allocation to alternative investments
limiting liquidity.
STRENGTHS
*Sizable provider with diversification of services including a hospital,
sizeable home health and long-term care ($357.3 million
of operating revenue in FY 2011)
*Healthy cushion of unrestricted cash and investments for the System
relative to Baa2-medians (HRHS' days cash on hand was 142
days in FY 2010 and improved to 163 days in FY 2011, compared to
Baa2 median of 110.5 days in FY 2010) although this credit strength
is offset by the System's asset allocation and more limited liquidity
measures
CHALLENGES
*Significant competition from hospitals in the crowded greater Philadelphia
market as indicated by multi-year declines in patient volumes and
essentially flat net patient revenue growth in FY 2011
*Ongoing pressure on operating cash flow (8.1% operating
cash flow margin in FY 2011), with challenged operating performance
during the first 3 months of FY 2012 ($588,000 operating
deficit during the three months ending September 30, 2011)
*Limitations on liquidity as a result of investments in hedge funds
and other alternative investment vehicles (by Moody's calculation
unrestricted monthly liquidity covers 90 days of cash expenses in FY 2011)
*Challenging payor mix characterized by high Medicare due to HRHS'
focus on senior services and a concentration of commercial business with
two large payors (48.2% of gross patient revenues from Medicare
in FY 2011 including Medicare managed care); skilled nursing facilities,
in particular, face Medicare and Medicaid cuts
Outlook
The negative outlook reflects ongoing pressure on patient volumes contributing
to thin operating performance and ongoing pressure on Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursement, particularly for skilled nursing facilities.
An inability to grow net patient revenue and contain expenses to improve
operating cash flow could result in rating pressure.
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO UP
Material and sustained volume growth translating into an improvement in
operating performance; a significant increase in liquidity and improved
leverage measures
WHAT COULD MAKE THE RATING GO DOWN
Further decline in operating cash flow or monthly liquidity, substantial
increase in debt, prolonged volume declines
The principal methodology used in this rating was Not-for-Profit
Hospitals and Health Systems published in January 2008. Please
see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy
of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
Although the present credit ratings have been issued in a non-EU
country which has not been recognised as endorsable at point of registration,
the present credit ratings may still be used by financial institutions
for regulatory purposes until 31 January 2012, including credit
ratings issued within this period. Moreover, ESMA may decide
and disclose by end December 2011 to extend the possibility to use credit
ratings for regulatory purposes in the European Community for three additional
months, until 30 April 2012, provided that exceptional circumstances
occur that may imply potential market disruption or financial instability.
Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's
office that has issued a particular Credit Rating is available on www.moodys.com.
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Kimberly S. Tuby
Vice President - Senior Analyst
Public Finance Group
Moody's FIS Domestic Sales Office - Boston MA
1 Post Office Square, 39th Floor
Boston, MA 02109-2103
U.S.A.
Lisa Martin
Senior Vice President
Public Finance Group
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MOODY'S AFFIRMS HOLY REDEEMER HEALTH SYSTEM'S (PA) Baa2 DEBT RATING; OUTLOOK IS NEGATIVE