Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,373	$ 1,996	$ 2,006
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(3,645)	(4,395)	(3,896)
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,169	3,858	3,770
Accounts receivable, net	(476)	(537)	(126)
Inventories and other assets	(232)	(19)	(122)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	444	142	355
Depreciation and amortization	1,820	1,753	1,679
Income taxes	(83)	143	96
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities	(29)	10	(15)
Losses on retirement of debt	335	17
Legal claim costs	78		175
Amortization of deferred loan costs	42	55	62
Share-based compensation	163	113	56
Other	13	7	9
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,448	3,680	4,175
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,176)	(1,943)	(1,862)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(766)	(481)	(258)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	51	33	30
Change in investments	(37)	36	16
Other	10	9	11
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,918)	(2,346)	(2,063)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	5,502		4,850
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	440	970	(685)
Repayment of long-term debt	(5,164)	(1,662)	(2,441)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(442)	(435)	(401)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(73)	(5)	(62)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,750)	(500)
Distributions to stockholders	(7)	(16)	(3,148)
Income tax benefits	134	113	174
Other	(18)	(90)	(67)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,378)	(1,625)	(1,780)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	152	(291)	332
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	414	705	373
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	566	414	705
Interest payments	1,758	1,832	1,723
Income tax payments, net	$ 1,057	$ 694	$ 618