TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate will consider a bill that would require Medicaid patients to try lower-cost drugs before moving to more expensive treatments.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed the step therapy legislation Thursday, after adding a provision that current patients won’t be kicked off their medications.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the bill would require the state’s managed care organizations to use the lowest-cost, most effective drugs before trying more expensive, less-proven medications.

Health care providers have opposed the bill. Senator Laura Kelly, a Democrat from Topeka, also objected, saying the state shouldn’t interfere with the doctor-patient relationship.

Jim Denning, a Republican from Overland Park, said Thursday step therapy is widely used and is already part of the state health plan for public employees.