Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 3,432	$ 2,696	$ 2,373
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(3,247)	(4,114)	(3,645)
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,257	3,913	3,169
Accounts receivable, net	10	(201)	(476)
Inventories and other assets	(112)	(314)	(232)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	144	192	444
Depreciation and amortization	1,966	1,904	1,820
Income taxes	123	(160)	(83)
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities	(23)	5	(29)
Losses on retirement of debt	4	135	335
Legal claim costs (benefits)	(246)	149	78
Amortization of debt issuance costs	34	35	42
Share-based compensation	251	239	163
Other	70	54	13
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	5,653	4,734	4,448
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,760)	(2,375)	(2,176)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(576)	(351)	(766)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	26	73	51
Change in investments	64	63	(37)
Other	6	7	10
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,240)	(2,583)	(2,918)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	5,400	5,548	5,502
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	(110)	150	440
Repayment of long-term debt	(4,475)	(4,920)	(5,164)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(434)	(495)	(442)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(40)	(50)	(73)
Repurchases of common stock	(2,751)	(2,397)	(1,750)
Other	(98)	188	109
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,508)	(1,976)	(1,378)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(95)	175	152
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	741	566	414
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	646	741	566
Interest payments	1,666	1,650	1,758
Income tax payments, net	$ 1,255	$ 1,186	$ 1,057