Medical Debt and Nurse Shortages Haunt Winning Halloween Haikus

October 31, 2023

Readers, beware! There’s a bitter chill in the air and bloodcurdling screams coming from our newsroom. We received more than five dozen spooky submissions to KFF Health News’ fifth annual Halloween haiku contest. Here’s the winner and the top runners-up, illustrated by Oona Tempest. The judges’ favorites were inspired by school nurse shortages and the nation’s gut-wrenching medical debt crisis. Keep an eye on KFF Health News’ social media accounts (X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!

1st Place

A black and white cartoon ink drawing shows two young children standing in an abandoned school nurse's office. One child is dressed up as a witch. She is sick and coughing. The other girl is dressed up as her cat, and holds onto her friend with concerned expression. They face an empty chair. A ghost nurse floats behind it, unable to help them. Below the drawing, a haiku reads: "Costumed coughs in school! / Kids seek care but find instead / A ghostly nurse chair." — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Madeline Steward)

Costumed coughs in school!

Kids seek care but find instead

A ghostly nurse chair.

— Madeline Steward

2nd Place

A black and white cartoon ink drawing shows visitors on a tour bus pointing and screaming at a hospital building that has come to life. It has money signs for eyes and is holding medical bills. Below the drawing, a haiku reads: "Other countries ask: / Medical debt, what is that? / Hospitals say, "Boo!"" — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Tom Cook)

Other countries ask:

Medical debt, what is that?

Hospitals say, “Boo!”

— Tom Cook

3rd Place

Bobbing for apples.

Drowning in medical debt.

Either way, get wet.

— Brynne McBride

While Halloween may be coming to an end, KFF Health News reporting continues year-round. Send us your haikus at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/.