Democratic challenger Paul Davis is proposing to reverse a piece of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s overhaul of the Kansas Medicaid program opposed by some advocates for the mentally disabled.

The plan Davis outlined Wednesday during a Statehouse news conference would end three private health insurance companies’ management of in-home support services for the mentally disabled.

Brownback’s administration turned over management of Medicaid to the private insurers in 2013. But it delayed the inclusion of support services for about 8,500 mentally disabled Kansans in the overhaul until February following vocal protests by advocates.

The $3 billion-a-year Medicaid program covers medical services for the poor and disabled and services designed to allow the disabled to continue living in their homes.

Officials in Brownback’s administration rejected Davis’ criticism that the overhaul has been harmful.