Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "A3" rating Pittsfield, Mass.-based Berkshire Health System's revenue bonds.
The affirmation is a result of several factors, including BHS' strong market position, solid financial profile and modest debt burden. Moody's acknowledged the health system's weaker-than-expected margins in fiscal year 2017, upcoming EMR implementation and uncertainty of work stoppages as the nurses' union strikes over a new contract.
The outlook was revised to negative from stable, reflecting Moody's expectation that the health system's margins will remain suppressed and under pressure over the next several years.