AUGUSTA — Republican leaders are calling for an independent review of MaineCare in the wake of six indictments related to allegations of health care fraud handed up by a grand jury earlier this week.

House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) said Thursday that in addition to the third-party review, they want to hear from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services about its interaction with Community Home Health Care LLC, the company accused of health care fraud conspiracy.

Finally, he called for a report on MaineCare providers suspected of fraud, including how much money may be at risk.

“Protect the patients, follow the money, hold people accountable,” he said. “Maine families deserve a government that guards their money the way we do with our paychecks.” 

On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of six Maine residents suspected of health care fraud.

“The indictment alleges that the defendants submitted false Electronic Visit Verifications claiming to have performed personal care services for clients of Community when, in fact, these services had not been performed,” according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson.

Over the last six years, the company allegedly submitted false claims totaling more than $600,000, according to Benson’s office.

In response, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) released a statement saying that “any allegations of waste, fraud or abuse must be taken seriously.” 

“These arrests are based on investigations conducted through existing oversight and enforcement guardrails, showing that the robust system we have in place to root out wrongdoing is working as intended,” he said. 

When the Legislature reconvenes for the new session in January, Fecteau said it will consider “whether additional steps are needed to strengthen accountability.”

Faulkingham and Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Presque Isle) accused Democrats of dragging their feet on investigations, saying it wasn’t until Vice President JD Vance visited Maine in May that fraud allegations came to light.

However, in December, DHHS referred a Portland service provider to the attorney general’s office after finding reason to suspect fraud. Several weeks later, a federal audit questioned $46 million in expenditures to those who provide autism services. 

Then in August, DHHS posted a notice that in June of this year it imposed five provider payment suspensions based on credible allegations of fraud. It also refused to renew six licenses, assessed fines on 12 agencies and referred one agency to law enforcement.

“DHHS is committed to sharing as much information as possible so the public can understand how seriously it takes fraud prevention and oversight,” the department wrote.

It also noted that state and federal laws sometimes prevent the agency from sharing information about ongoing investigations.

Over the summer, a conservative group called Lead Maine submitted signatures to DHHS to call for revised rules to require on-site inspections of providers receiving state funds through MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program. 

It is also asking the department to immediately suspend payments to providers suspected of billing for money that they are not entitled to receive.

With just five days to go until Tuesday’s election, Faulkingham and Stewart reminded voters that all 186 seats in the Legislature are on the ballot.

“It comes down to whether or not we are going to do something different with the next eight years of state government,” Stewart said.