The government pulled together funds to pay troops Oct. 15 and now Nov. 1, but officials said it’s doubtful they'll be paid again if the shutdown persists.
The vice president said he believes troops will be paid at the end of the week, though he did not specify how the administration will reconfigure funding.
The new rates reflect a 12% to 15.8% rise over current copays for medications purchased at retail pharmacies and through the Tricare mail-order pharmacy.