Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 244,793	$ 261,544	$ 223,643
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	60,344	32,400	29,255
Amortization of deferred loan costs	17,715	1,977	1,215
Provision for uncollectibles	139,274	21,947	20,005
Net (gain) loss on sale of long-lived assets	2,843	(1,468)	(1,065)
Gain on deconsolidation	(3,411)	(2,237)	0
Share-based compensation	10,104	8,321	6,692
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(3,177)	(7,247)	(1,784)
Deferred income taxes	30,780	38,363	24,558
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7,038)	(3,151)	(1,564)
Debt extinguishment costs	4,536	0	0
Increases (decreases) in cash and cash equivalents, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	(137,663)	(23,244)	(11,944)
Supplies inventory	(206)	132	110
Prepaid, supplies and other current assets	(9,091)	(5,308)	(4,651)
Accounts payable	(8,440)	441	579
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	66,175	6,693	7,550
Other, net	4,833	3,661	3,053
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	412,371	332,824	295,652
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions and related expenses	(2,184,058)	(73,594)	(277,388)
Acquisition of property and equipment	(40,217)	(28,856)	(28,864)
Proceeds from sale of interests in surgery centers	7,069	3,553	7,309
Purchases of marketable securities	(6,474)	0	0
Maturities of marketable securities	3,486	0	0
Other	(4,941)	159	0
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(2,225,135)	(98,738)	(298,943)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	2,048,958	162,204	565,566
Repayment on long-term borrowings	(408,475)	(202,083)	(394,164)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(190,097)	(184,149)	(162,941)
Proceeds from preferred stock offering	172,500	0	0
Cash dividends for preferred shares	(4,503)	0	0
Proceeds from common stock offering	439,875	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options	2,630	33,349	18,214
Repurchase of common stock	(4,615)	(45,964)	(13,101)
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	3,177	7,247	1,784
Payments of equity issuance costs	(24,494)	0	0
Financing costs incurred	(65,811)	(1,322)	(7,982)
Other	858	1,074	1,595
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	1,970,003	(229,644)	8,971
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	157,239	4,442	5,680
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	50,840	46,398	40,718
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	208,079	50,840	46,398
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest payments	38,129	28,378	14,786
Income tax payments, net of refunds	$ 19,224	$ 7,756	$ 19,615