CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 401,539	$ 308,236
Depreciation and amortization of real estate, in-place lease and other intangibles:
Continuing operations	176,165	180,996
Discontinued operations	35	476
Amortization of above and below market lease intangibles, net	(1,322)	(2,093)
Amortization of deferred compensation	11,407	10,205
Amortization of deferred financing costs, net	8,459	18,402
Straight-line rents	(21,787)	(32,912)
Loan and direct financing lease interest accretion	(48,159)	(41,858)
Deferred rental revenues	1,169	(1,077)
Equity income from unconsolidated joint ventures	(29,407)	(15,748)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,878	1,569
Gain on sales of real estate	(2,856)
Gain upon settlement of loans receivable		(22,812)
Gain upon consolidation of joint venture		(7,769)
Derivative gains, net	(52)	(3,308)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net	708	8,822
Other assets	(8,188)	(4,010)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(6,038)	35,696
Net cash provided by operating activities	483,551	432,815
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash used in the HCR ManorCare Acquisition, net of cash acquired		(3,801,624)
Cash used in the HCP Ventures II purchase, net of cash acquired		(135,550)
Other acquisitions and development of real estate	(62,860)	(148,032)
Leasing costs and tenant and capital improvements	(27,112)	(20,940)
Proceeds from sales of real estate, net	7,238
Purchase of an interest in unconsolidated joint ventures		(95,000)
Distributions in excess of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,529	1,558
Principal repayments on loans receivable	4,508	303,720
Investments in loans receivable	(20,757)	(360,932)
Increase in restricted cash	(1,229)	(7,851)
Purchase of marketable securities	(214,859)
Net cash used in investing activities	(313,542)	(4,264,651)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net repayments under bank line of credit	(238,985)
Repayments of mortgage and other debt	(42,538)	(141,684)
Issuance of senior unsecured notes	450,000	2,400,000
Repayment of senior unsecured notes	(250,000)
Deferred financing costs	(10,236)	(42,852)
Preferred stock redemption	(295,500)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock and exercise of options	783,137	1,281,575
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	(422,852)	(384,915)
Issuance (purchase) of noncontrolling interests	873	(33,618)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,778)	(7,166)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(33,879)	3,071,340
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	136,130	(760,496)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,506	1,036,701
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 169,636	$ 276,205