Topeka ? Senators have rejected a proposal to reduce the doses of impotence treatment drugs that low-income Kansans can receive through the state’s Medicaid program.

In an 18-14 vote Thursday, senators rejected the proposal, which would have reduced the number of allowed doses to one each year from 48.

Some senators saw the plan as a way to reduce the state’s costs, so it could better afford to cover reconstructive surgery for low-income women suffering from breast cancer. But others said legislators shouldn’t make decisions about what services are necessary to Kansans in the Medicaid program, which is funded jointly by the state and federal governments.

“Where do we stop?” asked Sen. Jim Barone, D-Frontenac. “Let’s be careful before we overrule the good, professional and studied judgment of the medical community.”

Sen. Peggy Palmer, R-Augusta, offered the proposal as an amendment to a bill requiring Medicaid coverage for reconstructive surgery for breast cancer victims.

That measure would help an estimated 30 women during the fiscal year beginning July 1, at a cost to the state of $180,000 annually. After Palmer’s amendment was rejected, the bill passed on a 37-1 vote and went to the House.

On Friday, the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services announced Medicaid would cover reconstructive surgeries dating back to March 1.

But Palmer said she was concerned about adding benefits to the Medicaid program because the program’s costs already are rising as more Kansans seek services and medical costs increase.

Her proposal would have cut spending on drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction by $126,000 a year. Palmer said she did not seek to eliminate spending on Viagra and similar drugs altogether because federal law requires states to provide some coverage.

“We need to start making priorities,” Palmer said.