Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	$ 3,433,829	$ 3,080,646	$ 6,787,881	$ 6,149,258
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	137,695	131,140	273,392	255,046
Hospital operations [Member]
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	3,361,706	3,018,147	6,646,174	6,018,587
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	184,426	171,711	362,539	331,010
Corporate and all other [Member]
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	72,123	62,499	141,707	130,671
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (46,731)	$ (40,571)	$ (89,147)	$ (75,694)

Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes.

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- Definition

The sum of revenues recognized during the period by the entity from providing services to in-patients, outpatients, residents in facilities owned or operated by the entity, from insurance premiums, or from goods provided or services performed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 10

+ Details

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