| **Condensed Consolidating Financial Information**            | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              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| **Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      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| Condensed Consolidating Financial Information                | Condensed Consolidating Financial InformationThe accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.” Each of the subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned by HealthSouth, and all guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, subject to certain customary conditions for release. HealthSouth’s investments in its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as guarantor subsidiaries’ investments in nonguarantor subsidiaries and nonguarantor subsidiaries’ investments in guarantor subsidiaries, are presented under the equity method of accounting with the related investment presented within the line items Intercompany receivable and Intercompany payable in the accompanying condensed consolidating balance sheets.The terms of our credit agreement allow us to declare and pay cash dividends on our common stock so long as: (1) we are not in default under our credit agreement and (2) our senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) remains less than or equal to 1.75x. The terms of our senior note indenture allow us to declare and pay cash dividends on our common stock so long as (1) we are not in default, (2) the consolidated coverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) exceeds 2x or we are otherwise allowed under the indenture to incur debt, and (3) we have capacity under the indenture’s restricted payments covenant to declare and pay dividends. See Note 8, Long-term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements accompanying the 2013 Form 10-K.As described in Note 10, Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, to the consolidated financial statements accompanying the 2013 Form 10-K, our preferred stock generally provides for the payment of cash dividends, subject to certain limitations. Our credit agreement and our senior note indenture do not limit the payment of dividends on the preferred stock.Periodically, certain wholly owned subsidiaries of HealthSouth make dividends or distributions of available cash and/or intercompany receivable balances to their parents. In addition, HealthSouth makes contributions to certain wholly owned subsidiaries. When made, these dividends, distributions, and contributions impact the Intercompany receivable, Intercompany payable, and HealthSouth shareholders’ equity line items in the accompanying condensed consolidating balance sheet but have no impact on the consolidated financial statements of HealthSouth Corporation. Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$4.0 $424.5 $191.2 $(22.8) $596.9Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (5.7) (2.5) — (8.2)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts4.0 418.8 188.7 (22.8) 588.7Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits4.1 197.9 91.8 (3.8) 290.0Other operating expenses5.0 62.0 31.8 (9.4) 89.4Occupancy costs1.1 14.5 4.3 (9.6) 10.3Supplies0.1 18.6 7.9 — 26.6General and administrative expenses27.5 — — — 27.5Depreciation and amortization2.3 18.2 6.9 — 27.4Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal4.0 — — — 4.0Total operating expenses44.1 311.2 142.7 (22.8) 475.2Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees25.7 1.7 0.7 (0.3) 27.8Other income0.1 — (0.6) 0.3 (0.2)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (1.9) — — (1.9)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(62.6) (7.2) — 69.8 —Management fees(26.8) 20.4 6.4 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense23.5 94.6 39.5 (69.8) 87.8Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(27.5) 39.2 10.4 — 22.1Income from continuing operations51.0 55.4 29.1 (69.8) 65.7Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(0.9) — — — (0.9)Net Income50.1 55.4 29.1 (69.8) 64.8Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (14.7) — (14.7)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$50.1 $55.4 $14.4 $(69.8) $50.1Comprehensive income$50.0 $55.4 $29.1 $(69.8) $64.7Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$50.0 $55.4 $14.4 $(69.8) $50.0 Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$3.0 $399.7 $179.2 $(17.9) $564.0Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (5.6) (2.4) — (8.0)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts3.0 394.1 176.8 (17.9) 556.0Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits0.1 187.4 85.6 (3.6) 269.5Other operating expenses3.2 59.6 27.9 (8.5) 82.2Occupancy costs1.0 12.0 4.5 (5.8) 11.7Supplies— 17.9 7.6 — 25.5General and administrative expenses28.8 — — — 28.8Depreciation and amortization2.2 16.7 5.4 — 24.3Government, class action, and related settlements(21.3) — — — (21.3)Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal4.2 — — — 4.2Total operating expenses18.2 293.6 131.0 (17.9) 424.9Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees22.4 2.4 0.8 (0.3) 25.3Other income(0.4) — (0.5) 0.3 (0.6)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates(0.3) (1.7) — — (2.0)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(59.7) (5.5) — 65.2 —Management fees(25.2) 19.2 6.0 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense48.0 86.1 39.5 (65.2) 108.4Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(10.3) 34.9 10.6 — 35.2Income from continuing operations58.3 51.2 28.9 (65.2) 73.2Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(0.1) (0.4) (0.4) — (0.9)Net Income58.2 50.8 28.5 (65.2) 72.3Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (14.1) — (14.1)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$58.2 $50.8 $14.4 $(65.2) $58.2Comprehensive income$58.3 $50.8 $28.5 $(65.2) $72.4Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$58.3 $50.8 $14.4 $(65.2) $58.3 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$11.5 $1,286.4 $561.7 $(67.1) $1,792.5Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (17.6) (7.4) — (25.0)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts11.5 1,268.8 554.3 (67.1) 1,767.5Operating expenses:        Salaries and benefits15.9 590.2 266.6 (11.3) 861.4Other operating expenses15.0 182.1 90.0 (26.9) 260.2Occupancy costs3.1 43.4 13.5 (28.9) 31.1Supplies— 57.9 24.1 — 82.0General and administrative expenses88.4 — — — 88.4Depreciation and amortization7.4 54.1 18.7 — 80.2Government, class action, and related settlements(0.8) — — — (0.8)Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal7.6 — — — 7.6Total operating expenses136.6 927.7 412.9 (67.1) 1,410.1Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees76.3 5.9 2.1 (0.8) 83.5Other income(0.3) (28.4) (2.2) 0.8 (30.1)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (8.8) — — (8.8)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(233.9) (21.3) — 255.2 —Management fees(80.7) 61.6 19.1 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense113.5 332.1 122.4 (255.2) 312.8Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(63.5) 122.0 32.9 — 91.4Income from continuing operations177.0 210.1 89.5 (255.2) 221.4Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax2.9 — (0.1) — 2.8Net Income179.9 210.1 89.4 (255.2) 224.2Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (44.3) — (44.3)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$179.9 $210.1 $45.1 $(255.2) $179.9Comprehensive income$179.9 $210.1 $89.4 $(255.2) $224.2Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$179.9 $210.1 $45.1 $(255.2) $179.9 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$9.0 $1,215.1 $529.2 $(52.2) $1,701.1Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (15.6) (6.8) — (22.4)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts9.0 1,199.5 522.4 (52.2) 1,678.7Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits13.5 565.7 249.4 (10.9) 817.7Other operating expenses9.1 177.4 79.8 (25.0) 241.3Occupancy costs3.1 35.9 13.1 (16.3) 35.8Supplies— 55.1 23.2 — 78.3General and administrative expenses88.5 — — — 88.5Depreciation and amortization6.5 47.8 15.2 — 69.5Government, class action, and related settlements(23.3) — — — (23.3)Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal7.8 — — — 7.8Total operating expenses105.2 881.9 380.7 (52.2) 1,315.6Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees66.8 5.7 2.4 (1.0) 73.9Other income(0.7) (0.8) (2.7) 1.0 (3.2)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates(2.5) (5.7) — — (8.2)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(243.3) (22.3) — 265.6 —Management fees(76.6) 58.7 17.9 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense160.1 282.0 124.1 (265.6) 300.6Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(114.5) 69.7 27.0 — (17.8)Income from continuing operations274.6212.397.1(265.6) 318.4Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax0.1 (0.1) (1.2) — (1.2)Net Income274.7 212.2 95.9 (265.6) 317.2Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (42.5) — (42.5)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$274.7 $212.2 $53.4 $(265.6) $274.7Comprehensive income$273.1 $212.2 $95.9 $(265.6) $315.6Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$273.1 $212.2 $53.4 $(265.6) $273.1 As of September 30, 2014 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$266.5 $1.5 4.3 $— $272.3Accounts receivable, net— 186.1 75.5 — 261.6Deferred income tax assets85.5 34.5 18.9 — 138.9Other current assets40.4 14.1 91.2 (35.5) 110.2Total current assets392.4 236.2 189.9 (35.5) 783.0Property and equipment, net13.6 753.5 227.5 — 994.6Goodwill— 279.6 212.1 — 491.7Intangible assets, net12.9 46.2 40.8 — 99.9Deferred income tax assets203.4 24.5 27.4 — 255.3Other long-term assets74.5 35.3 59.7 — 169.5Intercompany receivable1,562.7 — — (1,562.7) —Total assets$2,259.5 $1,375.3 $757.4 $(1,598.2) $2,794.0Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$217.7 $4.1 $4.2 $(17.5) 208.5Accounts payable8.8 33.0 13.0 — 54.8Accrued expenses and other current liabilities121.3 73.0 75.1 (18.0) 251.4Total current liabilities347.8 110.1 92.3 (35.5) 514.7Long-term debt, net of current portion1,324.3 85.0 32.1 — 1,441.4Other long-term liabilities44.6 12.5 82.6 — 139.7Intercompany payable— 431.9 212.5 (644.4) — 1,716.7 639.5 419.5 (679.9) 2,095.8Commitments and contingencies    Convertible perpetual preferred stock93.2 — — — 93.2Redeemable noncontrolling interests— — 12.2 — 12.2Shareholders’ equity:        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity449.6 735.8 182.5 (918.3) 449.6Noncontrolling interests— — 143.2 — 143.2Total shareholders’ equity449.6 735.8 325.7 (918.3) 592.8Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,259.5 $1,375.3 $757.4 $(1,598.2) $2,794.0 As of December 31, 2013 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$60.5 $2.3 $1.7 $— $64.5Accounts receivable, net— 184.7 77.1 — 261.8Deferred income tax assets85.5 34.5 19.0 — 139.0Other current assets37.0 15.8 80.8 (18.5) 115.1Total current assets183.0 237.3 178.6 (18.5) 580.4Property and equipment, net16.3 698.5 195.7 — 910.5Goodwill— 279.6 177.3 — 456.9Intangible assets, net18.1 49.6 20.5 — 88.2Deferred income tax assets288.8 24.5 41.0 — 354.3Other long-term assets64.6 27.1 52.4 — 144.1Intercompany receivable1,438.8 — — (1,438.8) —Total assets$2,009.6 $1,316.6 $665.5 $(1,457.3) $2,534.4Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$19.4 $3.8 $6.6 $(17.5) $12.3Accounts payable15.1 32.6 14.2 — 61.9Accrued expenses and other current liabilities111.1 67.2 60.1 (1.0) 237.4Total current liabilities145.6 103.680.9(18.5) 311.6Long-term debt, net of current portion1,381.7 88.1 35.4 — 1,505.2Other long-term liabilities44.5 17.4 80.3 — 142.2Intercompany payable— 299.2 228.9 (528.1) — 1,571.8 508.3425.5(546.6) 1,959.0Commitments and contingencies    Convertible perpetual preferred stock93.2 — — — 93.2Redeemable noncontrolling interests— — 13.5 — 13.5Shareholders’ equity:        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity344.6 808.3 102.4 (910.7) 344.6Noncontrolling interests— — 124.1 — 124.1Total shareholders’ equity344.6 808.3226.5(910.7) 468.7Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,009.6 $1,316.6$665.5$(1,457.3) $2,534.4 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$53.5 $206.9 $114.3 $— $374.7Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(11.9) (97.9) (24.1) — (133.9)Capitalized software costs(4.1) (1.5) (7.0) — (12.6)Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired— — (15.9) — (15.9)Proceeds from sale of restricted investments— — 0.3 — 0.3Purchase of restricted investments— — (2.5) — (2.5)Other1.0 1.3 — — 2.3Net cash used in investing activities(15.0) (98.1)(49.2)— (162.3)Cash flows from financing activities:        Proceeds from bond issuance175.0 — — — 175.0Borrowings on revolving credit facility65.0 — — — 65.0Payments on revolving credit facility(110.0) — — — (110.0)Repurchases of common stock, including fees and expenses(43.1) — — — (43.1)Dividends paid on common stock(47.4) — — — (47.4)Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock(4.7) — — — (4.7)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (39.6) — (39.6)Other8.7 (3.0) (5.5) — 0.2Change in intercompany advances124.0 (106.6) (17.4) — —Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities167.5 (109.6)(62.5)— (4.6)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents206.0 (0.8)2.6— 207.8Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period60.5 2.3 1.7 — 64.5Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$266.5 $1.5$4.3$— $272.3 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$70.9 $215.6 $82.9 $— $369.4Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(5.2) (142.3) (19.3) — (166.8)Capitalized software costs(4.8) (7.6) (3.2) — (15.6)Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired— (28.9) — — (28.9)Proceeds from sale of restricted investments— — 16.9 — 16.9Proceeds from sale of Digital Hospital10.8 — — — 10.8Purchase of restricted investments— — (8.1) — (8.1)Other(0.2) (1.0) (4.3) — (5.5)Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities0.6 (179.8) (18.0) — (197.2)Cash flows from financing activities:        Principal borrowings on notes— — 15.2 — 15.2Borrowings on revolving credit facility147.0 — — — 147.0Payments on revolving credit facility(112.0) — — — (112.0)Repurchases of common stock, including fees and expenses(234.1) — — — (234.1)Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock(17.2) — — — (17.2)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (34.1) — (34.1)Other4.6 (6.7) (2.7) — (4.8)Change in intercompany advances70.5 (27.5) (43.0) — —Net cash used in financing activities(141.2) (34.2) (64.6) — (240.0)(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(69.7) 1.6 0.3 — (67.8)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period131.3 0.3 1.2 — 132.8Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$61.6 $1.9 $1.5 $— $65.0 |

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Condensed consolidating financial information disclosure.
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