Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 3,231,321	$ 3,218,231	$ 3,236,391	$ 3,311,750	$ 3,276,946	$ 3,212,030	$ 3,242,974	$ 3,297,035	$ 12,997,693	$ 13,028,985	$ 11,906,212
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	72,226	25,040	64,570	144,026	122,090	84,458	151,686	145,537	305,862	503,771	473,547
Expenditures for segment assets									613,992	768,790	776,713
Total assets	17,117,295				16,606,335				17,117,295	16,606,335
Hospital operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues									12,815,899	12,861,216	11,746,817
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									535,048	863,887	731,948
Expenditures for segment assets									582,910	730,445	738,420
Total assets	15,594,720				15,216,827				15,594,720	15,216,827
Corporate and All Other Reporting Units [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues									181,794	167,769	159,395
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(229,186)	(360,116)	(258,401)
Expenditures for segment assets									31,082	38,345	38,293
Total assets	$ 1,522,575				$ 1,389,508				$ 1,522,575	$ 1,389,508