Um... what? Yes, AST was buffed, but it's still not on par as a healer with WHM and SCH. WHM + SCH is still the desirable combination of healers for content, and it is very rare to find AST as a desired option over either job where people will elect to have to choose between AST of equal gear/ability over a WHM or SCH.
-Edit-
Just for clarification, I am not saying that AST is not viable in a party make up, a well-played AST can still make content doable. However, its heals and shields are still not quite on par with WHM and SCH, and the card system can be a bit too unpredictable to really be a good gap-closer.... also, once more in my opinion.