Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,572	$ 1,602
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,752)	(1,364)
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,833	1,552
Accounts receivable, net	81	188
Inventories and other assets	(178)	(176)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(298)	(102)
Depreciation and amortization	1,042	968
Income taxes	267	67
Gains on sales of facilities	(3)	(5)
Legal claim costs		22
Amortization of debt issuance costs	16	18
Share-based compensation	140	129
Other	45	37
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,684	2,748
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,304)	(1,172)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(295)	(430)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	14	14
Change in investments	(11)	18
Other	5	15
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,591)	(1,555)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	1,502	3,000
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	(1,160)
Repayment of long-term debt	(95)	(2,065)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(248)	(205)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(25)	(24)
Repurchases of common stock	(966)	(1,858)
Other	(42)	(91)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,034)	(1,243)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	59	(50)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	646	741
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	705	691
Interest payments	834	767
Income tax payments, net	$ 387	$ 558