People who receive government-subsidized health care could deal with higher co-payments this fall. It's an effort to save the state millions of dollars.

The proposal would raise co-payments for Medicaid and for the first time require co-payments for Peachcare services.

Peachcare is a kids-only program for low-income families who pay a premium for coverage.

If implemented in November, the projected savings are 3.4 million dollars.

Tim Sweeney is with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

"The way the savings are realized at the state level is that to reflect the co-payment of three dollars that the family is going to pay, the state reduces the payment to the doctor by three dollars," says Sweeney.

Doctors see it as a potential reimbursement rate cut because they’re required under federal law to treat patients even if they can’t afford the co-pay.

Healthcare advocates say it would discourage people from seeking care and could lead to worsened conditions that require more expensive care.

The Department of Community Health is taking public comment on the plan.

Tags: Georgia, Medicaid, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, peachcare, co-payments