Topeka ? Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is asking Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to grant the state greater flexibility in using a federal grant for Medicaid programs.

Brownback, a Republican, wrote this week to Sebelius, who was Kansas governor before taking the federal appointment.

Brownback is requesting latitude in how Kansas administers health care programs to poor and disabled residents. The governor says the increasing costs of Medicaid and meeting federal requirements have driven up the state’s budget.

Brownback says Medicaid spending in Kansas rose from $1.8 billion in 2002 to $2.4 billion in 2008. However, since increased federal requirements took effect in 2008, that spending has jumped to $2.8 billion in 2010.

About 345,000 Kansans receive Medicaid.