Other Noncurrent Liabilities And Redeemable/Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Product Information [Line Items]
Acute care facilities with outside owners holding noncontrolling minority interest	5
Redeemable noncontrolling interest balances	$ 213	$ 212
Noncontrolling interest balances	$ 48	$ 45
Acute Care Hospital Services [Member] \| Las Vegas, Nevada [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Percentage of noncontrolling, minority ownership interests held by outside owners	28.00%
Acute Care Hospital Services [Member] \| Washington, D.C. [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Percentage of noncontrolling, minority ownership interests held by outside owners	20.00%
Acute Care Hospital Services [Member] \| Laredo, Texas [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Percentage of noncontrolling, minority ownership interests held by outside owners	11.00%
Behavioral Health Services [Member] \| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Percentage of noncontrolling, minority ownership interests held by outside owners	20.00%

As of the reporting date, the aggregate carrying amount of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Subparagraph (12)(c)

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802392&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Subparagraph 14

-Paragraph 3A

-Section S99

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802392&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number D-98

-Paragraph 43

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Subparagraph 15

-Paragraph 3A

-Section S99

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802392&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number D-98

-Paragraph 43

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 27

-Appendix A

-Subparagraph c

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 480

-SubTopic 10

-Subparagraph (16)(c)

-Paragraph 3A

-Section S99

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802392&loc=SL6540498-122764

+ Details