Topeka ? Republican leaders have outlined their plan to reorganize health care services for the needy — an alternative to a proposal from Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Like Sebelius’ plan, the GOP proposal unveiled Tuesday is intended to make services for the needy more efficient and to spark broader changes in health care.

Sebelius issued an executive order in January to move three programs that reimburse doctors, hospitals and clinics for care to needy Kansans out of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Those programs would be combined with the health insurance program for state employees, under the Department of Administration.

The order will take effect July 1 unless one legislative chamber rejects it by Saturday. The House was to debate the order Wednesday and GOP leaders expected rejection of her plan. The Senate has not scheduled debate on the matter.

The governor argues her plan will streamline the programs’ administration. She also contends creating a single office — purchasing $1.6 billion in services annually — will give the state financial clout to force improvements in the health care system.

Some Republicans have complained her order would create a health care “czar” with too much power and too little oversight.

The GOP plan would create a Health Policy Authority, with seven voting members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. The Health Policy Authority would oversee the state employees’ health plan and take over the three programs Sebelius wants to move out of SRS in 2006. The authority would consider moving other programs starting in 2007.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Melvin Neufeld said the authority’s members would have experience in health care.

“It makes more sense to have a broader base of knowledge to pull from,” said Neufeld, R-Ingalls.

But some Democrats noted the GOP plan would delay consolidation of the state’s health care purchasing.

“This can be done immediately — right now,” said Jeremy Anderson, Sebelius’ policy director.

In other developments, Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, appointed a seven-member committee to draft a multiyear plan for improving education funding.