Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 800	$ 1,179
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(2,336)	(1,927)
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,164	2,073
Depreciation and amortization	1,078	1,062
Income taxes	348	(70)
Losses on sales of facilities	3	2
Impairments of long-lived assets		119
Losses on retirement of debt	481
Amortization of deferred loan costs	56	60
Share-based compensation	24	24
Pay-in-kind interest	(78)
Other	6	29
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,546	2,551
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,170)	(860)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(209)	(35)
Disposition of hospitals and health care entities	55	26
Change in investments	80	473
Other	4	(2)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,240)	(398)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	5,000	1,387
Net change in revolving credit facilities	(414)	1,035
Repayment of long-term debt	(6,583)	(2,020)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(281)	(282)
Distributions to stockholders	(31)	(2,251)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(84)	(25)
Issuance of common stock	2,506
Repurchase of common stock	(1,503)
Income tax benefits	54	60
Other	(22)	8
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,358)	(2,088)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(52)	65
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	411	312
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	359	377
Interest payments	1,635	1,399
Income tax (refunds) payments, net	$ (95)	$ 498