I believe children are harmed when they are in bad homes. I also think that children can be harmed when they are removed from homes without just cause. As governor, I will take a close look at the state's protocols for removing children from their homes. Children must be immediately removed if they are in danger. The majority of children who are taken from their parents are generally reunited with them. I will work to create a constructive approach in working with parents who may be struggling but are not a danger to their children. I am not comfortable with a "one size fits all" approach. Individual situations should drive the process, not the other way around. I'm concerned that compliance with a state-imposed parenting plan becomes the overriding issue in a child-protection case rather than the overall fitness of the parents. We need to strengthen families and protect children. I have tremendous respect for Richard Anderson and those that work with him. We expect a great deal out of the Division of Child and Family Services. Families and children deserve nothing less. I also recognize the tremendous pressure of their profession. I am sure they feel undermanned, under-funded and probably under-appreciated. As governor, I will work to keep our focus on the big picture as it pertains to individual families and make sure we are making the best decision possible in each situation.

5. A lawmaker recently proposed eliminating the asset test for children to qualify for Medicaid, allowing 7,000 additional children to get insurance. While the proposal would have cost several million dollars, the idea would be to fund it through a cigarette tax increase. Would you support such a proposal?

As I understand it, these children should already be covered by the Children's Health Insurance Program. Any proposal for expansion of government services would have to be weighed into the five-year plan.

6. Some lawmakers want the state Department of Health to implement a preferred drug list to keep prescription costs down for certain consumers. Would you favor or disfavor a preferred drug list?

The Department of Health is currently limiting the number of prescriptions that a Medicaid recipient can receive. I think it makes sense to see how this goes first.

7. As we saw just last week, a family had to seek an abortion for a severely deformed fetus (which could not survive outside the womb) from a clinic because her hospital refused to perform the late-term abortion. Local hospitals say they are reluctant to perform abortions because a law passed by the 2004 Legislature restricts public funding for entities that perform abortions. The new law doesn't make allowances for the health of the fetus or the mother. In light of these problems, do you still favor or still oppose the new law? If opposed, how should the law be changed?

This is a legislative question, and should be addressed by that body. I believe the law should be changed to make sure that it does exactly what we want it to do and nothing more.