DENVER (AP) -- Colorado is preparing to expand health assistance for low-income adults, and Democrats have turned away the first attempt to put curbs on that expansion.

The Senate Education Committee decided on a party-line 5-4 vote Thursday to reject a Republican bill to require Colorado to make K-12 education a higher priority than Medicaid expansion.

Republican Sen. David Balmer of Centennial suggested the bill to require than no education funds be cut as Colorado expands Medicaid to cover more needy adults.

Colorado is planning to implement the expansion as part of the federal health care overhaul. Some Republicans say Colorado may not be able to afford the expansion.

Democrats on the Education Committee said that Colorado won't have to choose between health care and education.

Hickenlooper has said Colorado can afford the optional expansion, which would help more people receive health insurance.