Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	$ 3,436,000	$ 3,159,823	$ 10,223,881	$ 9,309,081
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	132,517	131,328	405,909	386,374
Hospital operations [Member]
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	3,375,093	3,086,717	10,021,267	9,105,305
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	176,903	164,870	539,442	495,880
Corporate and all other [Member]
Revenues and Income from continuing operations before income taxes
Total Revenues	60,907	73,106	202,614	203,776
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (44,386)	$ (33,542)	$ (133,533)	$ (109,506)

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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