Former Kansas legislator says veteran benefits ‘claim sharks’ won over GOP leadership with lobbying

By: Grace Hills

Outlets: Kansas Reflector

Published: March 9, 2026

Words: 975

Last Updated: 22 hours, 39 minutes ago

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TOPEKA — A bill that would greenlight unaccredited for-profit claim consultants to continue to skim benefits from Kansas veterans — likely in conflict with federal law — cleared the House and is working its way through the Senate, even though lawmakers considered banning the practice two years ago.

So why the switch-up?

Jim Karleskint, a former Republican representative from Tonganoxie and Vietnam War veteran who now lobbies for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the …

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