Georgia’s top health agency plans to charge health insurers millions of dollars in extra fees to help pay for the state’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs.

But those insurance companies are fighting back, saying the fees will drive up rates for people with private insurance and possibly price some people out of their coverage plans.

At stake is $112 million the state says it needs because of statewide budget cuts. State health officials also say federal regulations call for the new fees.

Dr. Rhonda Medows, commissioner of the state Department of Community Health, said that without additional money, the agency may have to drop people from Medicaid and PeachCare rolls.

“We’re talking about cutting benefits to people already receiving them,” she said.

But Kirk McGhee, executive director of the industry trade group Georgia Association of Health Plans, said raising the fees on insurance companies could have a similar effect on people who pay for their insurance.

“We’re an easy target … Nobody likes insurance companies,” he said.

McGhee said the extra cost could affect hundreds of thousands of Georgians covered under HMOs. Under the plan, a 3 percent increase would be added to premiums for HMO insurance. It remains unclear why the agency is singling out the HMOs; officials said that it is their interpretation of the federal law. The plan would not affect PPOs, Medicare or self-insured major companies such as Coca-Cola.

The surcharge would yield $112 million, as well as a federal match of $90 million.

Medows said these HMOs should pay this “civic rent” to do their share in supporting the societal burden of helping the needy.