Sen. Baldwin discusses rising prescription drug costs with Milwaukee-area residents

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin wants to do something about skyrocketing prices for prescription drugs. 

On Friday, she heard from people who have to pay those prices.

"It cost me anywhere from $15,000-$20,000 a year out of pocket to me. The drug itself is about $275,000 a year."

The Democratic senator was in Milwaukee Feb. 14 listening to stories like that one, from a cancer patient.

"One of the things we don't often do is look at what savings in prescription drugs would do to ameliorate suffering, to save other costs of hospitalizations, emergency room visits and things."

Baldwin wants her fellow senators to act on a House bill passed in December, designed to bring down prescription drug costs for families.