CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,579	$ 800
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(2,923)	(2,336)
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,666	2,164
Depreciation and amortization	1,254	1,078
Income taxes	250	348
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities	(4)	3
Losses on retirement of debt		481
Amortization of deferred loan costs	44	56
Share-based compensation	39	24
Pay-in-kind interest		(78)
Other	7	6
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,912	2,546
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,268)	(1,170)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(167)	(209)
Disposition of hospitals and health care entities	17	55
Change in investments	73	80
Other	5	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,340)	(1,240)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt	1,350	5,000
Net change in revolving credit facilities	(875)	(414)
Repayment of long-term debt	(689)	(6,583)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(303)	(281)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(20)	(84)
Issuance of common stock		2,506
Repurchase of common stock		(1,503)
Distributions to stockholders	(983)	(31)
Income tax benefits	82	54
Other	(35)	(22)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,473)	(1,358)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	99	(52)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	373	411
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	472	359
Interest payments	1,404	1,635
Income tax payments (refunds), net	$ 428	$ (95)