Medical Debt and Nurse Shortages Haunt Winning Halloween Haikus

October 31, 2023

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</p> <p>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 (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/KFFHealthNews">X,</a> formerly known as Twitter; <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/kffhealthnews/">Instagram</a>; and <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/KFFHealthNews">Facebook</a>) for more of our favorites. Enjoy! </p> <h2><strong>1st Place</strong></h2> <p>Costumed coughs in school! </p> <p>Kids seek care but find instead </p> <p>A ghostly nurse chair. </p> <p><em>— Madeline Steward </em></p> <h2><strong>2nd Place</strong></h2> <p>Other countries ask: </p> <p>Medical debt, what is that?  </p> <p>Hospitals say, “Boo!” </p> <p><em>— Tom Cook </em></p> <h2><strong>3rd Place</strong></h2> <p>Bobbing for apples. </p> <p>Drowning in medical debt. </p> <p>Either way, get wet. </p> <p><em>— Brynne McBride </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 rel="nofollow" href="https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/">https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/</a>. </p> <h2><strong>2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners</strong></h2> <p>Copy HTML