MYA IS IN THE HOSPITAL AND EXPECTED TO BE OKAY. >>> ANY ONE OF US COULD BE ONE ACCIDENT, ONE DIAGNOSIS AWAY FROM THE DAILY STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS. THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION SAYS THAT AMERICANS NOW CONSIDER AFFORDABLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS THE TOP HEALTH CARE PRIORITY FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP. TONIGHT CHANNEL 2 INVESTIGATES IS FOCUSING ON THE SKYROCKETING COST OF DRUGS, BUT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DEPEND ON EVERY DAY. INVESTIGATOR BILL SPENCER IS REVEALING THE HUGE INCREASES, THE FIGHT IN CONGRESS TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO SAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. >> Reporter: SHARON CAREFULLY STITCHES TOGETHER BEAUTIFUL HANDCRAFTED LEATHER POUCHES FOR CELL PHONES. AT 68, THE FORMER ARCHITECT STILL WORKS HARD. BUT NO MATTER HOW LONG HE TOILS, THERE’S ONE BILL HE STRUGGLES MIGHTILY TO PAY .>> I’M LOOK AT 10,000 Horses RIGHT NOW. >> YES, YES. >> Reporter: IT’S THE CANCER DRUG GLEEVIC. PRICE TAG $ 10,200 FOR 30 -DAY SUPPLY. HE HAS TO HAVE IT TO BATTLE LEUKEMIA. >> I HAVE TO TAKE ONE PILL EVERY DAY TO STAY ALIVE. LATELY, I’VE BEEN REALLY QUESTIONING WHAT’S MY LIFE WORTH. >> Reporter: 15 Times AGO HE SAID THE DRUG COST ABOUT $3,000 A MONTH. BUT NOW AT 10,000, HIS OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS EVEN WITH INSURANCE IS $ 12,000 A Year. >> I DON’T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TOE PAY. >> I Contemplate THAT WE ARE RAPIDLY APPROACHING A POINT WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO ACCESS THE DRUGS THEY NEED TO GET AND STAY HEALTHY. >> Reporter: Harmonizing TO AARP, THE PROBLEM IS EXPLODING. >> ITIT’S EVERYWHERE. THEY’RE ALL DOING THIS. >> Reporter: THE EpiPEN USED TO TREAT ALLERGIC REACTIONS SOARING IN PRICE MORE THAN 400 PERFECTION IN 10 Times .>> THEY Elevated THE PRICES TO GET FILTHY RICH AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. >> Reporter: C.E.O. HEATHER APPRECIATE GRILLED BY CONGRESS FOR GROWING HER OWN SALARY 671%. ANOTHER EXAMPLE, INSULIN MEDICATIONS. 6-YEAR-OLD DORIAN OF TEXAS REQUIRES A DOZEN INJECTIONS A DAY. BUT Tolls FO DRUGS FOR THE CONDITION HAVE RISEN AS MUCH AS 400% IN 10 Times. >> MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I’M PAYING SOMEBODY FOR MY KID LIFE. >> Reporter: AND THERE’S MORE. NOVACOURT FOR ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS ZOOMING 2900%. AND ANOTHER USED TO TREAT SKIN INFECTIONS, UP 118%. AND ANOTHE 1,000%. HEART PATIENTS, SOARING 500%. >> I’M PERSONALLY OUTRAGED BY IT. TO KNOW THAT IT’S BASELINE YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE. >> Reporter: NOW TEXAS CONGRESSMAN LLOYD DOG WRIT IS FIGHTING A Struggle ON DRUG PRICE GOUGING. A Time AGO HE CREATED A Task force, A Most important goals, JACK TUP COMPETITION BY ENDING — JACK UP THE COMPETITION BY ENDING DRUG EXCLUSIVITY DEALS .>> WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE COMPETITION BY PREVENTING SOME OF THE PRACTICES THAT ARE GOING ON AND EXTENDING DRUG MOPO REPLIES, GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED MONOPOLIES. >> Reporter: SHARON KEEPS OUR HOPING OURONE PRESCRIPTION DRUG SYSTEM CAN BE MENDED BEFORE HE RUNS OUT OF MONEY. >> I HAVE NO MORE PRAYERS. >> Reporter: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU STOPPED TAKING THIS DRUG? >> I WOULD BE MOVING INTO WHAT’S CALLED BLAST FACE. WHERE YOUR BLOOD STARTS TURNING WIDE AND I’D BE DEAD .>> Reporter: — WOULD IT AND I’D — WHITE AND I’D BE DEAD. >> Reporter: IN WHEN YOU GO THE DOCTOR AND HE PUTS YOU ON A DRUG, HE ISN’T Anticipating ABOUT THE COST, SO YOU HAVE TO. ASK HIM R THERE OTHER LESS COSTLY DRUGS THAT WILL TREAT YOUR CONDITION THE SAME WAY. TWO, GO TO THE WEBSITE GOODRX WHERE YOU CAN COMPARISON SHOP FOR THE DRUG THAT YOU NEED AT THE VERY BET PRICE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND GET DISCOUNT COUPONS AS WELL. AND THREE, MANY DRUG MANUFACTURERS NOW OFFER A PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. SEE IF THE MAKER OF YOUR DRUG DOES SO. IT CAN SAVE YOU A LOT OF MONEY. OR SIMPLY GO TO NEEDYMEDS.ORG WHICH OFFERS A LIST OF ALL MANUFACTURERS AND THE PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT THEY OFFER. >> ALL GOOD ADVICE. I HAVE TO ASK YOU KIND OF AN OFF QUESTION HERE ..
