Gov. Kay Ivey (R) last week issued a health order that allowed Alabama's mask mandate to expire on Friday, but she said state residents are strongly encouraged to continue to wear face masks in public, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from Alabama, Maryland, and Massachusetts.

• Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey (R) last week issued a health order that allowed Alabama's mask mandate to expire on Friday, but she said state residents are strongly encouraged to continue to wear face masks in public. Under the health order, state residents will no longer be required to wear face masks in public or when they're in close contact with other people. However, businesses, government offices, and other establishments under the order are allowed to encourage people to wear face masks. The order will remain in effect until May 5 (Williams, The Hill, 4/7).

• Maryland: CMS on Wednesday released proposed rules that would increase payments for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs) by 1.8%, or $160 million—including a 2.2% bump in IRF Prospective Payment System rates based on the proposed 2.4% market basket update—and 2.3%, or $90 million, respectively, for fiscal year (FY) 2022. CMS will accept public comments on the proposed rules through June 7, RevCycleIntelligence reports (Brady, "Transformation Hub," Modern Healthcare, 4/7; CMS IRF fact sheet, 4/7; CMS IPF fact sheet, 4/7; LaPointe, RevCycleIntelligence, 4/8).

• Massachusetts: Peter Slavin, president of Massachusetts General Hospital, announced that he will be retiring after 18 years in his position. Slavin will remain as president until Mass General Brigham determines his successor. Slavin in an email to staff said retiring is "one of the hardest decisions I have ever made" (AP/Modern Healthcare, 4/7).