DISPOSITIONS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DISPOSITIONS	DISPOSITIONS Sale of Focus Diagnostics Products On March 29, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its non-core Focus Diagnostics products business ("Focus Diagnostics") to DiaSorin S.p.A. ("DiaSorin"). On May 13, 2016, the Company completed the sale of Focus Diagnostics for $300 million in cash, or $293 million net of transaction costs and working capital adjustments, which included $25 million of proceeds which were initially held in escrow and received in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a $118 million pre-tax gain on disposition of business. The Company also recorded income tax expense of $84 million, consisting of $91 million of current income tax expense (all of which was paid in 2016) and a deferred income tax benefit of $7 million. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 71.4%, which was significantly in excess of the statutory tax rate primarily due to a lower tax basis in the assets sold, specifically the goodwill associated with the disposition. The assets disposed of consisted of $113 million of goodwill, $30 million of intangible assets, with the remaining $38 million consisting of accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant and equipment. In addition, the disposition included liabilities of $6 million. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a five year supply agreement with DiaSorin. The supply agreement, which does not include a minimum purchase commitment, enables the Company to purchase certain products and supplies used in its DIS business. Focus Diagnostics, prior to May 13, 2016, was included in all other operating segments and has not been classified as a discontinued operation. For further details regarding business segment information, see Note 18. Contribution of Clinical Trials Business On March 30, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc. (now known as IQVIA Holdings Inc.) to form a global clinical trials central laboratory services joint venture, Q² Solutions. The transaction closed on July 1, 2015. In connection with the transaction, the Company contributed certain assets of its clinical trials testing business ("Clinical Trials") and $33 million of cash to the newly formed joint venture in exchange for a non-controlling, 40% ownership interest. The assets of Clinical Trials contributed to the joint venture, principally consisting of property, plant and equipment and goodwill, were classified as assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2015 and were contributed to Q² Solutions upon closing of the transaction. Subsequent to closing, the Company's ownership interest in the joint venture is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the investment in Q² Solutions had a carrying value of $406 million and $389 million, respectively. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $334 million based on the difference between the fair value of the Company's equity interest in the newly formed joint venture over the carrying value of the assets contributed. The fair value of the Company's equity interest was determined using discounted cash flows. The most significant assumptions used in the valuation include a discount rate (12%), a long-term growth rate (2.5%) and EBITDA margins. In connection with the gain, the Company recorded a deferred income tax liability of $145 million. Upon formation, the Company's investment in Q² Solutions exceeded its equity in the underlying net assets by approximately $219 million. This basis difference is attributable to finite-lived assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill of the joint venture. The basis difference associated with the finite-lived assets of $75 million is being amortized over a weighted average useful life of 8 years as a reduction to the carrying value of the investment in equity method investees and corresponding reduction in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes. Q² Solutions is considered a related party to the Company due to the Company's non-controlling ownership interest in Q² Solutions and the Company's continuing involvement in providing diagnostic information services on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Company provides transition services to Q² Solutions for a limited period of time. For further details regarding related parties, see Note 19. Clinical Trials, prior to July 1, 2015, was included in all other operating segments and has not been classified as discontinued operations. For further details regarding business segment information, see Note 18.

DISPOSITIONS

Sale of Focus Diagnostics Products

On March 29, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its non-core Focus Diagnostics products business ("Focus Diagnostics") to DiaSorin S.p.A. ("DiaSorin"). On May 13, 2016, the Company completed the sale of Focus Diagnostics for $300 million in cash, or $293 million net of transaction costs and working capital adjustments, which included $25 million of proceeds which were initially held in escrow and received in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a $118 million pre-tax gain on disposition of business. The Company also recorded income tax expense of $84 million, consisting of $91 million of current income tax expense (all of which was paid in 2016) and a deferred income tax benefit of $7 million. The income tax expense resulted in an effective tax rate of 71.4%, which was significantly in excess of the statutory tax rate primarily due to a lower tax basis in the assets sold, specifically the goodwill associated with the disposition.

The assets disposed of consisted of $113 million of goodwill, $30 million of intangible assets, with the remaining $38 million consisting of accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant and equipment. In addition, the disposition included liabilities of $6 million.

In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a five year supply agreement with DiaSorin. The supply agreement, which does not include a minimum purchase commitment, enables the Company to purchase certain products and supplies used in its DIS business.

Focus Diagnostics, prior to May 13, 2016, was included in all other operating segments and has not been classified as a discontinued operation. For further details regarding business segment information, see Note 18.

Contribution of Clinical Trials Business

On March 30, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc. (now known as IQVIA Holdings Inc.) to form a global clinical trials central laboratory services joint venture, Q² Solutions. The transaction closed on July 1, 2015. In connection with the transaction, the Company contributed certain assets of its clinical trials testing business ("Clinical Trials") and $33 million of cash to the newly formed joint venture in exchange for a non-controlling, 40% ownership interest. The assets of Clinical Trials contributed to the joint venture, principally consisting of property, plant and equipment and goodwill, were classified as assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2015 and were contributed to Q² Solutions upon closing of the transaction. Subsequent to closing, the Company's ownership interest in the joint venture is being accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the investment in Q² Solutions had a carrying value of $406 million and $389 million, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $334 million based on the difference between the fair value of the Company's equity interest in the newly formed joint venture over the carrying value of the assets contributed. The fair value of the Company's equity interest was determined using discounted cash flows. The most significant assumptions used in the valuation include a discount rate (12%), a long-term growth rate (2.5%) and EBITDA margins. In connection with the gain, the Company recorded a deferred income tax liability of $145 million. Upon formation, the Company's investment in Q² Solutions exceeded its equity in the underlying net assets by approximately $219 million. This basis difference is attributable to finite-lived assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill of the joint venture. The basis difference associated with the finite-lived assets of $75 million is being amortized over a weighted average useful life of 8 years as a reduction to the carrying value of the investment in equity method investees and corresponding reduction in equity in earnings of equity method investees, net of taxes.

Q² Solutions is considered a related party to the Company due to the Company's non-controlling ownership interest in Q² Solutions and the Company's continuing involvement in providing diagnostic information services on an ongoing basis. In addition, the Company provides transition services to Q² Solutions for a limited period of time. For further details regarding related parties, see Note 19.

Clinical Trials, prior to July 1, 2015, was included in all other operating segments and has not been classified as discontinued operations. For further details regarding business segment information, see Note 18.