Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income	$ 137,745	$ 167,404
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	263,960	199,428
Amortization related to interest rate swap contract	59,937
Fair value adjustment related to interest rate swap contract	22,965
Provision for doubtful accounts	639,902	521,729
Stock-based compensation expense	19,492	19,301
Losses on sales of assets, net	2,114	1,096
Gains on sales of available-for-sale securities, net	(2,350)	(706)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(20,156)	48,375
Changes in assets and liabilities of continuing operations, net of the effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(719,495)	(573,902)
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,962)	(12,251)
Prepaid and recoverable income taxes	52,641	(8)
Deferred charges and other long-term assets	(1,839)	(1,584)
Accounts payable	(10,524)	(5,843)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	11,355	85,649
Equity compensation excess income tax benefits	(1,444)	(2,919)
Loss from discontinued operations, net	5,805	1,182
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	458,146	446,951
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of hospitals and other ancillary health care businesses	(71,475)	(573,439)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(282,424)	(202,819)
Proceeds from sales of assets and insurance recoveries	1,932	1,792
Proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	1,392	4,851
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(1,431,548)	(1,153,492)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	1,412,580	1,173,348
Increase in restricted funds, net	(18,723)	(28,260)
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	(388,266)	(778,019)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings	17,000	370,700
Principal payments on debt and capital lease obligations	(87,927)	(34,047)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(636)	(10,625)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options		14,067
Cash received from noncontrolling shareholders	3,591
Cash payments to noncontrolling shareholders	(30,815)	(21,828)
Equity compensation excess income tax benefits	1,444	2,919
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing financing activities	(97,343)	321,186
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents before discontinued operations	(27,463)	(9,882)
Net increases (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations:
Operating activities	(1,327)	8,004
Investing activities	(135)	(11,583)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(28,925)	(13,461)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	64,143	101,812
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$ 35,218	$ 88,351