Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,102	$ 2,347
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(3,174)	(2,044)
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,104	2,392
Accounts receivable, net	(70)	348
Inventories and other assets	(50)	(161)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(169)	(341)
Depreciation and amortization	1,581	1,463
Income taxes	(9)	8
Gains on sales of facilities	(10)	(8)
Losses on retirement of debt	39	4
Legal claim costs		33
Amortization of debt issuance costs	23	26
Share-based compensation	195	196
Other	60	39
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,692	3,954
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,033)	(1,884)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(1,142)	(468)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	24	23
Change in investments	(15)	78
Other	(6)	17
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,172)	(2,234)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	1,502	5,400
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	650	(70)
Repayment of long-term debt	(700)	(4,424)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(363)	(342)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(25)	(40)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,475)	(2,213)
Other	(37)	(95)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(448)	(1,784)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	72	(64)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	646	741
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	718	677
Interest payments	1,383	1,339
Income tax payments, net	$ 911	$ 890