MEDICAL

Standard & Poors Corp. and Moody’s Investors Service have affirmed their high credit ratings for St. Joseph Health System in Orange.

Officials of St. Joseph, a nonprofit operator of several hospitals and the Health Plan of America health maintenance organization, made their biannual presentation to the financial rating services in December. S&P; gave the company an A+ rating; Moody’s gave it an A1.

The “A” rating is considered “investment grade,” indicating a minimal risk that a corporate bond issue will default.

Many hospitals have experienced downgradings in credit ratings over the past several years in the face of lower occupancy rates.

“Our strong occupancy rates . . . as well as positive performance projections for the next 5 years persuaded the agencies to continue our high ratings,” said President Robert O’Leary.