The Kansas Hospital Association is working on a proposed alternative to expanding Medicaid under the federal health care overhaul, but Republican leaders remain wary.

Hospital Association Vice President Cindy Samuelson said Monday that the association doesn’t know what form its proposal will take.

One option is using additional federal funds promised under the federal health care law to help Kansans buy private coverage. Arkansas and Iowa are taking that approach.

Samuelson said the association is seeking what she called a unique Kansas solution.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP legislative leaders are still critical of the federal health care overhaul championed by Democratic President Barack Obama.

The hospital association has hired a firm headed by former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to help with a plan.