Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 811	$ 720
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(789)	(895)
Provision for doubtful accounts	790	646
Accounts receivable, net	1	(249)
Inventories and other assets	14	(106)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(371)	(312)
Depreciation and amortization	479	473
Income taxes	360	438
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities	1	(9)
Legal claim costs	12
Amortization of debt issuance costs	10	10
Share-based compensation	65	48
Other	17	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,399	1,018
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(509)	(446)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(9)	(28)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	4	15
Change in investments	11	22
Other	7	5
Net cash used in investing activities	(496)	(432)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	3,000	1,000
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	(930)	(260)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,011)	(791)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(111)	(132)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(22)	(11)
Repurchases of common stock	(621)	(366)
Other	(97)	(6)
Net cash used in financing activities	(792)	(566)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	111	20
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	741	566
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	852	586
Interest payments	490	487
Income tax refunds, net	$ (76)	$ (118)