GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	$ 3,022.8	$ 2,901.7
Goodwill acquired during the period	46.7	127.0
Adjustments to goodwill	(3.1)	(5.9)
Balance at end of period	3,066.4
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	2,960.2	2,857.1
Goodwill acquired during the period	46.7	107.5
Adjustments to goodwill	0	(4.4)
Balance at end of period	3,006.9
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	62.6	44.6
Goodwill acquired during the period	0	19.5
Adjustments to goodwill	(3.1)	(1.5)
Balance at end of period	$ 59.5