CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 592,134	[1]	$ 505,650	[1]	$ 757,017
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	286,596		281,102		253,964
Provision for doubtful accounts	268,615		279,592		291,737
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	6,535		28,624		(18,878)
Stock-based compensation expense	50,332		71,906		53,927
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	(3,956)		(4,466)		(884)
Asset impairment and loss on sale of business	86,348		0		0
Provision for special charge	0		236,000		0
Other, net	(7,781)		8,627		22,967
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(243,019)		(306,652)		(309,932)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(13,156)		(17,636)		18,235
Settlement of special charge	0		(241,000)		0
Income taxes payable	100,585		39,062		33,732
Termination of interest rate swap agreements	71,820		0		0
Other assets and liabilities, net	(7,885)		14,665		16,162
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,187,168		895,474		1,118,047
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(50,574)		(1,298,624)		0
Sale of securities acquired in business acquisition	0		213,541		0
Capital expenditures	(182,234)		(161,556)		(205,400)
Decrease (increase) in investments and other assets	15,669		3,204		(11,110)
Net cash used in investing activities	(217,139)		(1,243,435)		(216,510)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	715,000		2,689,406		0
Repayments of debt	(1,369,410)		(1,710,308)		(169,491)
Purchases of treasury stock	(199,996)		(934,994)		(750,000)
Exercise of stock options	162,096		136,818		48,535
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	3,956		4,466		884
Dividends paid	(108,136)		(64,662)		(71,321)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(37,794)		(35,671)		(36,739)
Other financing activities, net	12,189		(21,509)		(8,360)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(822,095)		63,546		(986,492)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	147,934		(284,415)		(84,955)
Less: Cash included in current assets held for sale	(17,234)		0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	164,886		449,301		534,256
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 295,586		$ 164,886		$ 449,301

[1] During the third quarter of 2006, the Company completed its wind down of NID and classified the operations of NID as discontinued operations. Results of operations have been prepared to report the results of HemoCue, OralDNA and NID as discontinued operations for all periods presented (see Note 18).