Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 92,874	$ 88,379	$ 184,479	$ 172,736
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	18,158	16,313	35,159	31,332
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	74,716	72,066	149,320	141,404
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(39,327)	(2,037)	(52,607)	(1,398)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes		(36)		(66)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (39,327)	$ (2,001)	$ (52,607)	$ (1,332)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	91,130,672	93,358,771	91,069,876	92,491,839
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	263,876	522,496	258,871	423,442
Employee stock options	381,632	815,455	623,662	847,380
Other equity based awards	7,545	15,197	8,201	16,340
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	91,783,725	94,711,919	91,960,610	93,779,001

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