SSM Health Care is a Catholic health care system that owns, manages and is affiliated with 20 acute care hospitals and three nursing homes in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma. Its health-related businesses include information systems, home care management and support services such as material management and clinical engineering. SSM is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary and also owns an interest in Premier Medical Insurance Group, one of Wisconsin s largest health maintenance organizations. It also operates rehabilitation and pediatric services, long-term and residential care facilities, hospices and home health agencies, as well as physician practices, ambulatory care centers, professional office buildings and shared services. SSM was established in 1985 and is based in St. Louis, Mo.