VA Postpones Copayment Increase For Vets’ Meds

A planned $1 increase in the copayment the Veterans Affairs Department charges veterans for medications to treat non-service-related conditions has been delayed for six months for further consideration, the Army Times reports. Veterans are not charged any copayment for medications to treat service-related conditions, and the current copayment rate is $8 per 30-day supply of medicine. "VA officials announced in the Federal Register that they were delaying the increase until July 1 so they could reconsider how increases are calculated, the Army Times reports. In a statement, officials said, "We need time to determine whether an increase might pose a significant financial hardship for certain veterans and, if so, what alternative approach would be appropriate relief for these veterans" (Maze, 1/4).