Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 99,252	$ 78,325
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	10,536	36,446
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	2,667	1,069
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,140	772
Other comprehensive income	14,343	38,287
Comprehensive income	113,595	116,612
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23,778	17,001
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	$ 89,817	$ 99,611

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