![VPR News show](https://d3dthqtvwic6y7.cloudfront.net/podcast-covers/000/045/750/small/vpr-news-from-vermont-public-radio.jpg)
Summary: Costs for generic medications have skyrocketed in recent years, with some increasing by as much as 8,000% . The explosion in drug costs is the leading factor behind the nearly 16% rate hike Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont requested this month for participants in Vermont Health Connect. Now Congressman Peter Welch is co-sponsoring several bills to reign in prescription drug costs at the federal level.