Kansas is not going to expand its Medicaid program anytime soon in line with the federal health care overhaul.

But advocates aren’t giving up on the idea.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved still plans to pursue the issue. Spokeswoman Katrina McGivern said the group has prepared to work on educating legislators about the benefits of expanding Medicaid. The program provides health coverage for the poor and disabled.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and many GOP legislators are vocal critics of the 2010 federal health care law.

Lawmakers last year included a ban on expanding Medicaid in budget legislation, but it expires in July 2015. The GOP-dominated Legislature passed a bill earlier this month extending the ban indefinitely

Brownback signed it this week.