LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas hospital officials are pleading for the state to expand the Medicaid program for low-income people as allowed under the new federal health care law.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the hospital officials told a legislative committee during the first week of the session that they face tremendous economic challenges without an expansion.

Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center CEO Dennis Franks said, “We’re in the roughest time we’ve ever been in.”

Franks was among several people who testified Wednesday before the House Vision 2020 Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Tom Sloan. The Lawrence Republican said he hopes to develop a “Kansas solution” for expanding Medicaid that will pass the conservative-dominated Legislature.