TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators moved closer Thursday to approving an expansion of the state's Medicaid program to provide health coverage for thousands of non-disabled adults, even though the action could prove largely symbolic.

The state Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee backed a bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to as many as 180,000 adults, most now without insurance. The panel's voice vote sent the bill to the full Senate for a debate that is expected next week; the House approved the measure with a strong, bipartisan majority last month.

But Republican Gov. Sam Bro...