SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Revolving credit facility	Oct. 15, 2013 Subsequent event Revolving credit facility	Oct. 02, 2013 Subsequent event 8 1/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022	Oct. 02, 2013 Subsequent event 6% senior secured notes due 2020	Oct. 02, 2013 Subsequent event Vanguard item
Subsequent event
Business acquisition share price (in dollars per share)							$ 21
Number of hospitals	2						28
Number of hospitals under development							1
Number of outpatient centers							39
Number of health plans							5
Number of members covered under the health plans							150,000
Cash paid	$ 142,000,000	$ 38,000,000					$ 4,300,000,000
Repay of net debt							2,500,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of notes sold					2,800,000,000	1,800,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage					8.125%	6.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity before increase (decrease)				800,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 800,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000