CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 11,244	$ 10,636	$ 10,360
Cost of sales	7,865	6,652	6,210
Gross margin	3,379	3,984	4,150
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2,890	2,967	2,953
Research and development expenses	518	590	518
Goodwill impairments	485	425	0
Other operating expense (income), net	(206)	(12)	(28)
Operating income (loss)	(308)	14	707
Interest expense, net	238	341	439
Other (income) expense, net	(41)	(38)	26
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(505)	(289)	242
Income tax (benefit) expense	395	37	61
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(900)	(326)	181
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(57)	(312)	2,482
Net income (loss)	(957)	(638)	2,663
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations	0	0	0
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest included in discontinued operations	0	11	7
Net income (loss) attributable to Baxter stockholders	$ (957)	$ (649)	$ 2,656
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.75)	$ (0.64)	$ 0.36
Diluted (in dollars per share)	(1.75)	(0.64)	0.36
Income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.12)	(0.63)	4.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	(0.12)	(0.63)	4.87
Net Income (loss) per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	(1.87)	(1.27)	5.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.87)	$ (1.27)	$ 5.23
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	513	510	506
Diluted (in shares)	513	510	508