Vice President Vance expected to address alleged fraud during stop in Bangor

BANGOR, Maine (WGME) — Vice President JD Vance is in Bangor on Thursday. He is expected to speak about the alleged fraud in the state.

A national Republican Party spokesperson says Vance’s visit is meant to emphasize the importance of upcoming elections in New England such as the race between Republican Senator Susan Collins and political newcomer Graham Platner, a Democrat.

• Also read: Vance, Dr. Oz cite fraud and improper billing in halting new Medicare agency enrollments

Vance is also expected to speak about the alleged fraud in Maine. The White House has singled out Maine and five Democratic states, accusing them of fraud and mismanagement of federally funded Medicaid programs.

In December 2025, one provider was referred to the attorney general’s office for investigation after finding a credible allegation of fraud.

And in January, a federal audit identified $46-million in improper payments DHHS made for services supporting children with autism.

Maine’s DHHS Commissioner says her department takes allegations of fraud very seriously and says they are reviewing that audit.

“We’d love to have a better conversation, a better relationship and work on this question of fraud and certainly have an open hand, have an open heart in this White House to work with anybody including the governor of Maine,” Vance said.

Governor Janet Mills has accused the Trump administration of targeting states who stand up to President Donald Trump and is using alleged fraud to distract from his own failing agenda.

“Years of radical incompetence from Augusta Democrats like Matt Dunlap and Joe Baldacci have left Mainers with less money in their pockets, without the care they need, and a government riddled with fraud. Mainers deserve better, and they can trust Paul LePage to work with President Trump and Vice President Vance to continue lowering taxes, making communities safer, and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse from government,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said.

DCCC spokesperson Riya Vashi released the following statement:

“JD Vance’s trip to Bangor is just another desperate attempt to distract Mainers from the war Paul LePage and his extremist buddies in Washington are waging on their health care. If Vance wants to talk about scams, he should talk about Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which is already kicking tens of thousands of Mainers off Medicaid, putting rural hospitals across the district at risk of closure, and gutting Maine’s health care system to fund massive tax breaks to billionaires. Mainers see right through this charade and know that unlike LePage, Joe Baldacci will fight to protect their health care in Washington — not cheer on the politicians dismantling it.”

• Also read: Vance’s anti-fraud task force halts more than $1B in federal funding to home health firms

Vance is expected to speak in Bangor at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.

CBS13 will live stream the remarks on its YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.