IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Accrued Restructuring Charges
Balances at Beginning of Period	$ 12	$ 11
Restructuring Charges, Net	(10)	0
Cash Payments	6	(1)
Other	(2)	0
Balances at End of Period	14	10
Cash payments to be applied against accruals due within one year	9
Cash payments to be applied against accruals due thereafter	5
Continuing operations | Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans
Accrued Restructuring Charges
Balances at Beginning of Period	8	6
Restructuring Charges, Net	(10)	0
Cash Payments	6	(1)
Other	(2)	0
Balances at End of Period	10	5
Discontinued operations | Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities
Accrued Restructuring Charges
Balances at Beginning of Period	4	5
Restructuring Charges, Net	0	0
Cash Payments	0	0
Other	0	0
Balances at End of Period	$ 4	$ 5