CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2006 hospital	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 lawsuit
Shareholder derivative litigation
Loss Contingencies
Number of consolidated lawsuits | lawsuit					2
Maderazo V. VHS San Antonio
Loss Contingencies
Number of hospitals | hospital	3
Pending Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Gain (loss) total related to litigation settlement		$ (38)	$ (23)	$ (293)
Pending Litigation | Clinica De La Mama Matters
Loss Contingencies
Gain (loss) total related to litigation settlement				$ (278)