Hello, I am Captain Scott Connor of the U.S. Public Health Service and I am honored to be
serving as the Acting Regional Director for Region 7 of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services. Region 7 serves the states of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. From our
offices in Kansas City, Missouri, we oversee the department’s activities and act as the front door
to HHS. On a day-to-day basis, my team speaks with governors, mayors, tribal leaders – and partners
like you – about HHS policies, programs, and regulations to ensure that our efforts take into
account your experiences and the needs of your communities. Since taking office in January 2021,
the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra have focused on specific ways to
improve the lives of the American people: We have made real progress. On COVID, we have more tools
than ever to prevent, fight, and treat COVID-19, including vaccines, boosters, and therapeutics
that work. We have a public education campaign underway to remind folks that vaccines are safe
and effective. We are working around the clock to ensure that no matter who you are
or where you live; you can get health care when you need it. This year, a record 14.5 million
people enrolled in quality health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Nearly 6
million of those are newly enrolled in coverage. Here in Region 7, 529,000 people enrolled in
affordable health coverage, with all four states reporting record or near-record enrollment.
To meet a long-overdue need, we’ve made behavioral health care a priority and invested billions
in programs, grants, and other initiatives. In October, we rolled out a new strategy for overdose
prevention, one that focuses on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery support.
And this year, we launched the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health to bring attention
to the new services available. Here in Region 7, the regional staff is working with groups in every
state to launch the new 9-8-8 mental health crisis line. 9-8-8 is more than just an easy
number to remember — it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support
for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. We realize that the pandemic has led
to increased drug use in many communities, so the regional staff is working with community groups on
new strategies to reduce the toll taken by drug overdoses and to make treatment and recovery
more accessible. We are also making enormous strides in health equity, to ensure that every
resident of region 7 has access to quality health care – whether you live in St. Louis or Sedalia
in Missouri, Lincoln or Hastings in Nebraska, Davenport or Sioux City in Iowa, or Wichita
or Garden City, in Kansas. We’ve recently launched initiatives to improve maternal and prenatal
care – because we must bring down the unacceptably high rates of illness and mortality among Black,
Latino and Native American women and their newborns. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not
recognize the crucial work of public health and clinical health professionals throughout Region 7
whose work over the last two years has saved countless lives. HHS is working hard to assist
them in their work and to provide funding to find ways to reduce burnout among clinical care staff.
Looking ahead, we will continue building on these accomplishments. We want to make sure progress is
curbing prescription drug costs, putting childcare within the reach of all, and strengthening home
health care. In the Midwest, we like to tout our quality of life – our vibrant cities and scenic
rural areas. At HHS, we work – often behind the scenes – to make that quality of life
even better. I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I invite you to join with me
and we can work together to serve the people of Region 7.Thank you for spending this time with me.