Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Health Care Organization Receivable and Revenue Disclosures [Line Items]
Total	$ 3,783,491,000	$ 3,354,052,000
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage reserved of all accounts aging over specified period from the date of discharge	100.00%
Number of days from the date of discharge over which all accounts are reserved 100%	365 days
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement	26,168,000	0
Electronic Health Records Incentive Reimbursement, Cash received	5,800,000	0
Included in net operating revenues on a non-same store basis from an industry-wide reimbursement settlement	101,800,000
Reimbursement settlement and payment Included in net operating revenues	80,800,000
Unfavorable Adjustment Related To Newly Issued Supplemental Security Income Ratios	21,000,000
Medicare [Member]
Health Care Organization Receivable and Revenue Disclosures [Line Items]
Total	1,064,157,000	923,864,000
Medicaid [Member]
Health Care Organization Receivable and Revenue Disclosures [Line Items]
Total	315,092,000	321,525,000
Managed Care and other third-party payors [Member]
Health Care Organization Receivable and Revenue Disclosures [Line Items]
Total	1,906,487,000	1,699,860,000
Self Pay [Member]
Health Care Organization Receivable and Revenue Disclosures [Line Items]
Total	$ 497,755,000	$ 408,803,000