Other Events	12 Months Ended
Other Events	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Events [Abstract]
Other Events	(12) Other Events (a) Litigation We are a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings and are subject to various claims arising in the ordinary course of our business, including claims that our services have resulted in injury or death to the residents of our centers and claims relating to employment and commercial matters. Although we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in these matters, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In certain states in which we have operations, insurance coverage for the risk of punitive damages arising from general and professional liability litigation may not be available due to state law public policy prohibitions. There can be no assurance that we will not be liable for punitive damages awarded in litigation arising in states for which punitive damage insurance coverage is not available. We operate in an industry that is extensively regulated. As such, in the ordinary course of business, we are continuously subject to state and federal regulatory scrutiny, supervision and control. Such regulatory scrutiny often includes inquiries, investigations, examinations, audits, site visits and surveys, some of which are non-routine. In addition to being subject to direct regulatory oversight of state and federal regulatory agencies, these industries are frequently subject to the regulatory supervision of fiscal intermediaries. If a provider is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have engaged in improper practices, it could be subject to civil, administrative or criminal fines, penalties or restitutionary relief; and reimbursement authorities could also seek the suspension or exclusion of the provider or individual from participation in their program. We believe that there has been, and will continue to be, an increase in governmental investigations of long-term care providers, particularly in the area of Medicare/Medicaid false claims, as well as an increase in enforcement actions resulting from these investigations. Adverse determinations in legal proceedings or governmental investigations, whether currently asserted or arising in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In September 2010, a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, by a former employee of a subsidiary of our medical staffing company, alleging violation of various wage and hour provisions of the California Labor Code. We deny all of the allegations in the employee's complaint. The lawsuit, which was filed as a purported class action on behalf of the former employee and all those similarly situated, was settled on November 22, 2011. In November 2010, a jury verdict was rendered in a Kentucky state court against us for $2.75 million in compensatory damages and $40 million in punitive damages. On February 25, 2011, the trial court judge reduced the punitive damage award to $24.75 million. The case involves claims for professional negligence resulting in wrongful death. We disagree with the jury's verdict and believe that it is not supported by the facts of the case or applicable law. Our appeal is currently pending with the Kentucky Court of Appeals. We believe our reserves are adequate for this matter. (b) Other Inquiries From time to time, fiscal intermediaries and Medicaid agencies examine cost reports filed by predecessor operators of our skilled nursing centers. If, as a result of any such examination, it is concluded that overpayments to a predecessor operator were made, we, as the current operator of such centers, may be held financially responsible for such overpayments. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of any existing or future examinations. (c) Legislation, Regulations and Market Conditions We are subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulation relating to licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of centers, expansion of centers and services and reimbursement for services. As such, in the ordinary course of business, our operations are continuously subject to state and federal regulatory scrutiny, supervision and control. Such regulatory scrutiny often includes inquiries, investigations, examinations, audits, site visits and surveys, some of which may be non-routine. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. However, if we are found to have engaged in improper practices, we could be subjected to civil, administrative or criminal fines, penalties or restitutionary relief, which may have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.