Despite opposition from Gov. Sam Brownback, the Kansas Senate voted 25-13 to give early approval to a proposal that would expand the state's privatized Medicaid program, The Kansas City Star reported.

House Bill 2044 would expand Medicaid to roughly 150,000 people. The bill will go through a final vote in the Senate, expected March 28.

The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand Medicaid, which provides health coverage to disabled and low-income people.