State hospitals, doctors and pharmacies united Wednesday in support of Medicaid changes that stop short of full managed care but would reward them for quality, cost-conscious care.

An advisory committee on state Medicaid changes heard from nearly 50 speakers Wednesday as it gathered more information on potential changes to the government health insurance program for low-income children and their parents, the elderly and disabled.

Gov. Pat McCrorys administration wants to control Medicaid spending with a switch to managed care. Medicaid spending has dented the budget in recent years. Some of the overruns were due to inaccurate budget forecasts. Under managed care, providers would be given a set amount to treat patients and would be responsible for costs if they overspend.

Managed care would represent a major switch from the current system where doctors, hospitals and other health care providers are paid for each procedure.

Most say Medicaid can improve, but theres no agreement how to do it.

The message from doctors groups, hospitals and retail pharmacies is that they support change but dont want full managed care.

What theyve proposed is a type of health care and payment system that can be run by providers. These accountable care organizations would be responsible for reaching health care goals and controlling costs. They would share in any cost savings. National managed care insurance companies would not necessarily be involved.

Reform must keep scarce health care dollars in North Carolina, providing the care our patients need, not paying for additional administrative overhead that is funneled to multiple out-of-state companies, said Dr. Bill Dennis, president of the N.C. Academy of Family Physicians. We simply cannot afford to settle for the failed policies of managed care that have proven to be disastrous in state after state throughout our country.

The federal Affordable Care Act encourages providers to set up accountable care organizations for Medicare, the government insurance program for the elderly. More than 20 are operating in the state.

Several speakers said affordable care organizations could build upon the statewide patient-care management program Community Care of North Carolina. CCNC has Medicaid patients choose a medical home that oversees their care. Patients with chronic illnesses get extra looking-after.

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Health care providers support Medicaid changes that stop short of managed care