Topeka ? Republican legislative leaders Tuesday released a health care proposal to replace Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ plan, which they will try to kill today.

“I am eager to increase the efficiency of health care operations in our state,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls.

“However, the most important aspect of this initiative is that it improves the quality of health care for all Kansans,” he said.

The new Republican plan would set up a seven-member Kansas Health Policy Authority to increase efficiency and effectiveness of public health programs.

Sebelius, a Democrat, stood by her proposal. She maintained that much of the Republican leadership’s opposition to her plan was based on politics and not policy.

Her spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said the Sebelius plan “will allow Kansas to address Medicaid in a more nimble, more accountable way. Hard to believe any legislator would want to stand in the way of progress.”

In January, Sebelius issued an executive order that would move health care programs for low-income Kansans out of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Those programs would be put under a new Division of Health Policy and Finance within the Kansas Department of Administration.

Sebelius has said the changes are needed to better handle escalating health care costs and to deliver services more efficiently. Her proposal has gained widespread support among health care groups in the state.

But last week, House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, criticized Sebelius’ proposal, saying, “It would appear that what we are setting up is a health care czar.”

A vote on Sebelius’ executive order is expected today in the House, where Republicans have an 82-43 advantage.