The Arizona Legislature has authorized Gov. Jan Brewer to seek a federal waiver allowing the cash-short state to temporarily slash its Medicaid enrollment under what officials said would be the first such request by a state.

Brewer wants to suspend coverage for 280,000 low-income adults to save $541.5 million and help eliminate a shortfall in the next state budget.

Opponents say they doubt the waiver request would be approved by President Barack Obama's administration.

House and Senate votes Thursday had majority Republicans backing a bill authorizing a waiver request and minority Democrats opposed.

The bill goes next to the desk of Brewer.