BOSTON (S&P Global Ratings) Sept. 21, 2016--S&P Global Ratings said today that its ratings on Franklin, Tenn.-based acute-care hospital operator Community Health Systems Inc. (B/Stable/--) are not immediately affected by the announced plan to explore strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the company to a financial or strategic buyer. While we will continue to monitor developments as it relates to this process, we believe there is not sufficient information at this time to assess the impact of any potential transaction on Community's credit quality. Our 'B' rating and stable outlook on Community Health continues to reflect the company's substantial scale as the second-largest U.S. for-profit acute-care hospital provider. Our ratings also reflect our belief that Community's ongoing operating challenges
