Managed-care companies that provide health coverage to nearly 1 million Medicaid recipients are opposing Pennsylvania’s proposal to directly manage prescription drug benefits — a move the state’s public welfare chief says could eventually save taxpayers up to $95 million a year.

The Department of Public Welfare has tried for the last two years to assume responsibility for buying medications prescribed to Medicaid managed-care patients, but state lawmakers have blocked it from doing so.

Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman renewed her push Tuesday during House and Senate committee hearings on the proposal. Although the state has taken various steps to save money on the Medicaid program, which enrolls more than 1.9 million people, it still represents about 20 percent of the state budget and is growing, Richman said.