Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Medicare Medicaid and Third Party Payors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Medicare Medicaid and Third Party Payors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Facility Payors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Facility Payors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Private Payors [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Private Payors [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Incremental Charge for Allowance for Doubtful Accounts relating to Company Wide Reorganization Program	$ 48,500,000
Accounts Receivable Aging [Abstract]
Current and 0 - 180 Days Past Due		731,225,000	746,722,000	257,782,000	260,788,000	387,509,000	389,887,000	85,934,000	96,047,000
181 Days and Over Past Due		558,802,000	666,128,000	199,303,000	185,934,000	204,419,000	312,996,000	155,080,000	167,198,000
Total Gross Accounts Receivables		$ 1,290,027,000	$ 1,412,850,000	$ 457,085,000	$ 446,722,000	$ 591,928,000	$ 702,883,000	$ 241,014,000	$ 263,245,000