It was under the radar for us. We didn't realize the implications. And it's serious because it's not really a fair test.

Children?s health is a statewide issue. Our elected officials need to put the interests of children at the top of their priority lists.

These folks want to pay the premiums. We were on the right track in trying to insure as many children as possible. The governor is saying that kids are his priority. Clearly, they're not.

Too many children are not getting a healthy start in life; they are not getting proper preventive medical care; and they are not getting a nutritious diet. The cost to them, and to all of us if we continue down this path, will be overwhelming.

The data show that, here in Missouri, we continue to fail to put the health and welfare of our children first.

He did what we wanted him to do. He mixed it up a little bit and kept us in the game.