Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Changes In The Carrying Amount Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 2,589,914		$ 732,685
Goodwill acquired during the period			1,895,786
Goodwill divested during the period			(871)
Adjustments to goodwill	37,688	[1]	(37,686)	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,627,602		2,589,914
Acute Care Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	389,484		389,845
Goodwill acquired during the period			510
Goodwill divested during the period			(871)
Adjustments to goodwill		[1]		[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	389,484		389,484
Behavioral Health Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	2,200,430		342,840
Goodwill acquired during the period			1,895,276
Adjustments to goodwill	37,688	[1]	(37,686)	[2]
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 2,238,118		$ 2,200,430

[1] Consists of adjustments to prior year purchase price allocations

[2] The reduction to the Behavioral Health Services' goodwill consists primarily of a reclassification to "assets of facilities held for sale" and represents the goodwill attributable to a legacy facility which we agreed to divest pursuant to our agreement with the Federal Trade Commission.