A Bite, a Bill, and a Bureaucratic Chill in Winning Halloween Haikus

By KFF Health News Staff Illustrations by Oona Zenda October 31, 2025

Nearly 100 health care-themed haikus crept into our inbox this Halloween. See the winning poems and top runners-up from KFF Health News’ seventh annual Halloween haiku contest, illustrated by Oona Zenda.

The judges’ favorites were inspired by tick migration, Medicaid work requirements, and rising copays.

Follow KFF Health News’ social media accounts (X, Instagram, and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!

1st Place

Checkups turn to fright.
Copays rise like witching flames.
My wallet screams “Boo!”

— Arnav Shah

2nd Place

No rest after death.
Even the ghosts must work now
To get benefits.

— Kristen Hayashi

3rd Place

Questing legs, and teeth
Hitching rides on their blood-brides,
All ticks and no treat!

— Carrie Moores

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/.

2024 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

A black and white cartoon of a witch donating blood. The person taking her blood is Dr. Dracula. Above them is a banner that says: "Dr. Dracula's Blood Drive." Haiku text at the bottom of the image reads: "Vampires don’t scare me. Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear. Roll up, save a life. –Crystal Decker" — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Crystal Decker)

A black and white cartoon of a scary medical bill frightening a ghoul and a ghost. Below the image, haiku text reads: "What spooks me the most Is not a ghoul or a ghost But steep health care bills. –Sasha Zitter" — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Sasha Zitter)

A black and white cartoon of a business man, with a name tag that says, "PBM," showing a $1,000 price sheet for a prescription drug. The PBM man scares a thief carrying eyeballs. The haiku text reads: "No, not eye-gouging. My costume is scarier: Pharma price-gouging. –Siri Palreddy" — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Siri Palreddy)

2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

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)

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)

A black and white cartoon ink drawing shows a person that has fallen into a 'bobbing-for-apples' trough gasping for air. In the water, they are surrounded by apples and medical bills. Below the drawing, a haiku reads: "Bobbing for apples. / Drowning in medical debt. Either way, get wet." — (Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Brynne McBride)

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Paul Hughes-Cromwick)

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Micki Jackson)

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Michael L. Millenson)

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A Bite, a Bill, and a Bureaucratic Chill in Winning Halloween Haikus

By KFF Health News Staff Illustrations by Oona Zenda October 31, 2025

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<h1>A Bite, a Bill, and a Bureaucratic Chill in Winning Halloween Haikus</h1>
	<span class="byline">KFF Health News Staff and Oona Zenda</span>
	<span class="byline photographer">
		<span>Illustrations by <a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/news/author/oona-tempest/"><strong>Oona Zenda</strong></a></span>	</span>

<p>Nearly 100 health care-themed haikus crept into our inbox this Halloween. See the winning poems and top runners-up from KFF Health News’ seventh annual Halloween haiku contest, illustrated by Oona Zenda. </p>

<p>The judges’ favorites were inspired by tick migration, Medicaid work requirements, and rising copays. </p>

<p>Follow KFF Health News’ social media accounts (<a href="https://x.com/KFFHealthNews">X</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KFFHealthNews/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KFFHealthNews/">Facebook</a>) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!</p>

<h2><strong>1st Place</strong></h2>

<p>Checkups turn to fright.Copays rise like witching flames.My wallet screams “Boo!”</p>

<p><em>— Arnav Shah</em></p>

<h2><strong>2nd Place</strong></h2>

<p>No rest after death.Even the ghosts must work nowTo get benefits.</p>

<p><em>— Kristen Hayashi</em></p>

<h2><strong>3rd Place</strong></h2>

<p>Questing legs, and teethHitching rides on their blood-brides,All ticks and no treat!</p>

<p>— <em>Carrie Moores</em></p>

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

<h2><strong>2024 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners</strong></h2>

<h2><strong>2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners</strong></h2>

<h2><strong>2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners</strong></h2>

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1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

2024 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

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