@Cleftobismal: On the contrary, I want AST to get AWAY from WHM.

Ok, AST is a healer that focuses on high support. They should be strong with that. But they can't at the same tine offer healing power rivaling a WHMs.
It's not uncommon to see an AST actually healing MORE than a WHM on average. Outside of Cure III, WHM really doesn't have much to identify itself as a healer specialist other than more healing skills in total, which really aren't necessary in the long run.

I feel like AST in general was faulty in design. It came out in 3.0 with less healing potency than a WHM, but less MP and tons of support to make up for it. SE quickly realized before they can support, they need to heal well, so they buffed their healing potency up and it just went down from there.