RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	12 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES During 2011, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $44.6. Of this amount, $27.4 related to severance and other personnel costs, and $22.0 primarily related to facility-related costs associated with the ongoing integration of certain acquisitions including Genzyme Genetics and Westcliff. These charges were offset by restructuring credits of $4.8 resulting from the reversal of unused severance and facility closure liabilities. In addition, the Company recorded fixed assets impairment charges of $18.9 primarily related to equipment, computer systems and leasehold improvements in closed facilities. The Company also recorded special charges of $14.8 related to the write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment made in prior years, along with a $2.6 write-off of an uncollectible receivable from a past installment sale of one of the Company's lab operations. During 2010, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $5.8 primarily related to the closing of redundant and underutilized facilities. Of this amount, $8.0 related to severance and other employee costs for employees primarily in the affected facilities, and $3.1 related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs. The Company also reduced its prior restructuring accruals by $5.3, comprised of $4.7 of previously recorded facility costs and $0.6 of employee severance benefits as a result of changes in cost estimates on the restructuring initiatives. In addition, the Company recorded a special charge of $6.2 related to the write-off of development costs incurred on systems abandoned during the year. During 2009, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $13.5 primarily related to work force reductions and the closing of redundant and underutilized facilities. Of this amount, $10.5 related to severance and other employee costs for employees primarily in the affected facilities, and $12.5 related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs. The Company also reduced its prior restructuring accruals by $9.5, comprised of $7.3 of previously recorded facility costs and $2.2 of employee severance benefits as a result of incurring less cost than planned on those restructuring initiatives primarily resulting from favorable settlements on lease buy-outs and severance payments that were not required to achieve the planned reduction in work force.

Tabular disclosure of restructuring and related costs by type of restructuring including the description of the restructuring costs, such as the expected cost; the costs incurred during the period; the cumulative costs incurred as of the balance sheet date; the income statement caption within which the restructuring charges recognized for the period are included; and changes to an entity's restructuring reserve that occurred during the period associated with the exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings for each major type of cost.

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