Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Entity [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 42,464	$ 32,069	$ 14,732	$ 17,238
Accounts receivable, net	1,360,973	1,282,735
Supplies	109,117	108,115
Deferred income taxes	124,857	114,565
Other current assets	71,548	77,654
Total current assets	1,708,959	1,615,138
Property and equipment	6,371,767	6,212,030
Less: accumulated depreciation	(2,685,730)	(2,532,341)
Property, plant and equipment, net, Total	3,686,037	3,679,689
Other assets:
Goodwill	3,316,945	3,291,213
Deferred charges	36,927	40,319
Other	329,691	348,084
Total assets	9,078,559	8,974,443	$ 8,548,072
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	73,807	68,319
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,096,081	1,113,062
Federal and state taxes	24,423	1,446
Total current liabilities	1,194,311	1,182,827
Other noncurrent liabilities	279,281	268,555
Long-term debt	2,961,515	3,210,215
Deferred income taxes	271,109	282,214
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	250,533	239,552
Equity:
UHS common stockholders' equity	4,061,756	3,735,946
Noncontrolling interest	60,054	55,134
Total equity	4,121,810	3,791,080
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 9,078,559	$ 8,974,443