Nebraska’s veterans have served our country with honor and sacrifice, and they’ve earned every available tool to help them access the benefits they were promised upon returning home.

Unfortunately, a bill currently before the Nebraska Legislature, Legislative Bill 693, risks taking away important choices from veterans and making it harder for them to get the help they need. In fact, a federal court has already ruled a similar bill an unconstitutional denial of veterans’ free speech.

The system in the state is already struggling to keep up. Nebraska has more than 106,000 veterans, but the resources dedicated to helping them are limited. Many veterans report long wait times and difficulty getting appointments, along with inconsistent follow-up from overworked and understaffed Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Even those who manage to connect with a VSO often find the quality of assistance varies widely, with some officers lacking the training or resources to provide effective help.

For rural veterans, these challenges tend to be exacerbated, as many areas in Nebraska remain underserved, and the nearest VSO office is hours away. Special claims clinics, organized to help with backlogged cases, show just how much demand there is. In North Platte, 272 veterans showed up in just two days, and 214 new claims were started. That’s hundreds of people who hadn’t been able to get help until a pop-up clinic came to town.

Private companies and consultants, which are often veteran-owned businesses, have stepped in to fill this gap. They bring expertise while working on a contingency basis to help veterans with complicated cases or appeals. Many veterans have found success working with these professionals when other avenues fail.

Unfortunately, as with any industry, bad actors have also emerged that use predatory practices to take advantage of our veterans. LB 693 claims to solve this problem, but the real effect would be to cut off legitimate, valuable sources of help by prohibiting veterans from hiring a consultant for assistance with claims preparation.

Taking away the option to seek compensated help removes a vital lifeline for those who need specialized support, while stifling innovation in finding better ways to serve veterans who aren’t getting what they need from the current system.

Veterans in Congress and several other states have adopted or are considering pro-veteran policies that address predatory practices while allowing veteran-owned businesses to continue providing much-needed services. These policies ensure veterans are aware of free services available to them and also protect veterans from fraud, mishandling of data and excessive fees.

The right way to protect veterans is not to ban all paid assistance. If Nebraska truly wants to support its veterans, it should trust them to decide what kind of help is right for them. Blanket bans like LB 693 only limit choices and make it harder for veterans to get help. It would turn back the clock on veterans’ rights and limit the support they deserve.

Shane Osborn is a retired lieutenant commander and served on active duty in the U.S. Navy, including on surveillance flights. He also served as Nebraska state treasurer from 2007-2011.

Charlie Janssen served in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War. He also served as a Nebraska state senator from 2009-2014 and Nebraska state auditor from 2015-2023.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/20/needs-of-nebraska-veterans-go-beyond-legislative-proposal/

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