HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Eager for revenues, states are settling more cases than ever with drug makers accused of defrauding Medicaid programs, according to a new analysis from the consumer group Public Citizen. In just the first half of 2012, the federal government and states have recovered $6.6 billion.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Employers will soon be offering workers their yearly opportunity to make changes to their health care benefits. All too often this open-enrollment period has required combing through pages and pages of confusing insurance terms. But this year workers will receive help translating that jargon thanks to a new requirement that insurers provide a user-friendly coverage summary of all health plans.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: They may not like it, but they don't see it going away. About 7 in 10 Americans think President Barack Obama's health care law will go fully into effect with some changes, ranging from minor to major alterations, according to an new Associated Press poll.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Saying there are “troubling indications” of abuse in the way hospitals use electronic records to bill for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the Obama administration warned on Monday that it would not tolerate what it called attempts to “game the system” and vowed to vigorously prosecute doctors and hospitals implicated in fraud.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: No matter what the outcome of the U.S. election, healthcare looks to be a focal point in the economy for years to come. The United States spent 17.9% of its gross domestic product on healthcare in 2010 - more than double what other wealthy nations spend on a per-person basis.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Seeking to reduce runaway obesity rates, the New York City Board of Health this week approved a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters, the first restriction of its kind in the country.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: McDonald’s said on Wednesday that it would begin posting calorie counts on all its menus next week — a move that could put pressure on other fast-food restaurants to do the same. The company also unveiled several menu additions aimed at making its offerings more healthful.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Congressional Republican leaders are downplaying GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's comments that he would preserve some parts of Democrats' health care reforms, but the remarks are causing some conservatives to question whether the former Massachusetts governor is committed to fully repealing the law.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: Based on data from 237 previously conducted studies, Stanford University’s Center for Health Policy concluded that when it comes to certain nutrients, there is not much difference between organic and conventionally grown food. But it also found that organic foods have 31% lower levels of pesticides, fewer food-borne pathogens and more phenols, a substance believed to help fight cancer.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: The health care system squanders $750 billion a year, 30 cents of every medical dollar, through unneeded care, byzantine paperwork, fraud and other waste, the Institute of Medicine said Thursday. Controlling health care costs is one of the keys to reducing the deficit. The report came from an 18-member panel of experts, including doctors, business people and public officials.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: According to his campaign advisor, the Democrats' convention next week will bring the choice between President Barack Obama and his Republican opponent into "sharp focus," with a particular emphasis on the president's plan to rebuild the economy from the middle class out.

HCR Update from Mark Sanna: According to a statement made this week by his top health policy advisor this week, Mitt Romney will completely repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and start a bit-by-bit approach at his own reforms if he's elected president.