Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,011	$ 1,546	$ 602
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($5) in 2019, ($52) in 2018 and $89 in 2017	(95)	(323)	599
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax expense of $130 in 2019, $10 in 2018, and $60 in 2017	408	33	134
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($11) in 2019, $3 in 2018, and ($6) in 2017	(39)
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($11) in 2019, $3 in 2018, and ($6) in 2017		9	(13)
Available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense of zero in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively	0	0	2
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	274	(281)	722
Comprehensive income	1,285	1,265	1,324
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10)	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Baxter stockholders	$ 1,275	$ 1,265	$ 1,324