HHS on Friday announced that health insurance exchange navigators will receive $98.9 million in grants for the 2023 open enrollment period, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Maryland and Massachusetts.

• Maryland: CMS granted $98.9 million to health insurance exchange navigators for the 2023 open enrollment period, HHS announced Friday. Health insurance exchange navigators assist consumers and small employers shopping for health coverage and help them apply for financial aid. The funding, which is the highest award ever given to navigators, follows the 2022 plan year's record-high enrollment. "We're doubling down on our efforts to ensure people get the insurance they need," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "Navigators critically help us reach people where they are, educating them on their health insurance options that can be lifesaving." (Goldman, Modern Healthcare, 8/26)

• Maryland: FDA on Friday announced that N95 respirator masks were no longer on the agency's medical device shortage list—a decision that signals an improved supply chain and a stronger domestic manufacturing capacity. "Today, our national capacity for production of these devices is stronger and our supply chain is more resilient because of these collective efforts on behalf of the dedicated people working to save lives," said Suzanne Schwartz, director of the FDA's Office of Strategic Partnerships and Technology Innovation. (Twenter, Becker's Hospital Review, 8/26)

• Massachusetts: General Catalyst on Monday announced a partnership with WellSpan Health—a move that marks the company's fourth digital innovation collaboration with a health system. The companies are partnering to overcome challenges identified by WellSpan. According to WellSpan president and CEO Roxanna Gapstur, projects may include designing care models that involve behavioral health and social determinants of health or streamlining patient experience with technology. Under the partnership, WellSpan will be able to access General Catalyst's "health assurance" network and will gain earlier access to tech innovations. "Our thesis is that healthcare transformation will happen through and with health systems," said Daryl Tol, General Catalyst's health assurance ecosystem head. (Cohen, Modern Healthcare, 8/29)