CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Redeemable Interest	Cumulative Dividends	UHS Common Stockholders' Equity	Class A Common	Class B Common	Class C Common	Class D Common	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 1,792,394	$ 197,152	$ (108,627)	$ 1,751,071	$ 67	$ 896	$ 7	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,879,981	$ (21,253)	$ 41,323
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	10,894			10,894		4				10,890
Repurchased	(11,528)			(11,528)		(3)				(11,525)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	3,139			3,139						3,139
Dividends paid	(19,422)		(19,422)	(19,422)
Stock option expense	13,321			13,321						13,321
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8,662)	(23,777)										(8,662)
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests
Purchase of minority ownership interests in majority owned businesses	600											600
Other		4,512
Comprehensive income:
Net income	241,921	33,874		230,183						230,183		11,738
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2012, $120 in 2011 and $120 in 2010)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $2,528 in 2012, $14363 in 2011 and $528 in 2010)	868			868							868
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $1,898 in 2012, $4,691 in 2011 and $281 in 2010)	462			462							462
Comprehensive income	276,909	33,874		231,297						230,183	1,114	11,738
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	2,023,771	211,761	(128,049)	1,978,772	67	897	7	0	0	2,125,989	(20,139)	44,999
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	12,633			12,633	(1)	12				12,622
Repurchased	(60,482)			(60,482)		(16)				(60,466)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	1,957			1,957						1,957
Dividends paid	(19,466)		(19,466)	(19,466)
Stock option expense	15,807			15,807						15,807
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,416)	(31,016)										(7,416)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	411,350	37,521		398,167						398,167		13,183
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2012, $120 in 2011 and $120 in 2010)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $2,528 in 2012, $14363 in 2011 and $528 in 2010)	(23,114)			(23,114)							(23,114)
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $1,898 in 2012, $4,691 in 2011 and $281 in 2010)	(7,706)			(7,706)							(7,706)
Comprehensive income	417,834	37,521		367,131						398,167	(31,036)	13,183
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	2,347,118	218,266	(147,515)	2,296,352	66	893	7	0	0	2,494,076	(51,175)	50,766
Common Stock
Issued/(converted) including tax benefits from exercise of stock options	21,684			21,684		14				21,670
Repurchased	(19,154)			(19,154)		(4)				(19,150)
Restricted share-based compensation expense	2,308			2,308						2,308
Dividends paid	(58,395)		(58,395)	(58,395)
Stock option expense	20,083			20,083						20,083
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,933)	(18,961)										(7,933)
Purchase of minority ownership interests in majority owned businesses	(832)											(832)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	454,049	34,998		443,446						443,446		10,603
Amortization of terminated hedge (net of income tax effect of $120 in 2012, $120 in 2011 and $120 in 2010)	(216)			(216)							(216)
Unrealized derivative losses on cash flow hedges (net of income tax effect of $2,528 in 2012, $14363 in 2011 and $528 in 2010)	4,149			4,149							4,149
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $1,898 in 2012, $4,691 in 2011 and $281 in 2010)	3,088			3,088							3,088
Comprehensive income	496,068	34,998		450,467						443,446	7,021	10,603
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,765,949	$ 234,303	$ (205,910)	$ 2,713,345	$ 66	$ 903	$ 7	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,962,433	$ (44,154)	$ 52,604