Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Components of comprehensive income net of related taxes [Abstract]
Net income	$ 53,547	$ 86,342	$ 131,872	$ 171,338
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	(8,969)	(33,694)	27,477	(45,051)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	268	476	1,338	630
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	807	758	1,579	5,233
Comprehensive income	45,653	53,882	162,266	132,150
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,158	16,277	35,159	31,266
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	$ 27,495	$ 37,605	$ 127,107	$ 100,884

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Gross appreciation or the gross loss in value of the total unsold securities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in accumulated comprehensive income during the period related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans, after tax. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Net of tax effect change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges after taxes. A cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in the cash flows of a recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase or decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a credit balance consistent with its label.

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+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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+ Details