Alicia Blevins and her husband, who is a Marine, shown in an undated photo at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va.
Alicia Blevins photo
Jennifer Bittner serves lunch to her children at her home Wednesday in Pflugerville, Texas. Bittner worries the government shutdown will affect her husband's Army salary, and thus their ability to afford their children's healthcare costs.
Jack Myer, Associated Press
Jennifer Bittner holds her 6-year-old daughter Amelia's inhaler as she puts on her vibrating CPT vest.
Jack Myer, Associated Press
Jennifer Bittner holds her 6-year-old daughter Amelia at their home Wednesday in Pflugerville, Texas. Amelia is using three inhalers right now because she has high-risk asthma, a chronic lung condition and a cold. Each device requires a $38 copay at the pharmacy. Bittner's severely autistic son requires diapers that cost $200 a month, while she sometimes has to haggle with military insurance to cover the expense.
WASHINGTON — The government shutdown is exacting a heavy mental toll on the nation's military families, leaving them not knowing from week to week whether their paychecks will arrive.
Jennifer Bittner serves lunch to her children at her home Wednesday in Pflugerville, Texas. Bittner worries the government shutdown will affect her husband's Army salary, and thus their ability to afford their children's healthcare costs.
Jennifer Bittner holds her 6-year-old daughter Amelia at their home Wednesday in Pflugerville, Texas. Amelia is using three inhalers right now because she has high-risk asthma, a chronic lung condition and a cold. Each device requires a $38 copay at the pharmacy. Bittner's severely autistic son requires diapers that cost $200 a month, while she sometimes has to haggle with military insurance to cover the expense.
