Ghosts, Ghouls, and Ghastly Drug Prices in Winning Halloween Haikus

October 31, 2024

If you dare, feast your eyes on this year’s winners of KFF Health News’ sixth annual Halloween Haiku contest. We received more than four dozen spooky submissions but only a few bubbled to the top of the cauldron. Here’s the winner and the top runners-up, illustrated by Oona Zenda. The judges’ favorites were inspired by blood shortages, high health care costs, and the eye-gouging price of prescription drugs. Keep an eye on KFF Health News’ social media accounts (X; Instagram; and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!

1st Place

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)

Vampires don’t scare me.

Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear.

Roll up, save a life.

— Crystal Decker

2nd Place

What spooks me the most

Is not a ghoul or a ghost

But steep health care bills.

— Sasha Zitter

3rd Place

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)

No, not eye-gouging.

My costume is scarier:

Pharma price-gouging.

— Siri Palreddy

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/.

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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Ghosts, Ghouls, and Ghastly Drug Prices in Winning Halloween Haikus

October 31, 2024

Article HTML

<h1>Ghosts, Ghouls, and Ghastly Drug Prices in Winning Halloween Haikus</h1>
<p>If you dare, feast your eyes on this year’s winners of KFF Health News’ sixth annual Halloween Haiku contest. We received more than four dozen spooky submissions but only a few bubbled to the top of the cauldron. Here’s the winner and the top runners-up, illustrated by Oona Zenda. The judges’ favorites were inspired by blood shortages, high health care costs, and the eye-gouging price of prescription drugs. Keep an eye on KFF Health News’ social media accounts (<a href="https://twitter.com/KFFHealthNews">X</a>; <a href="https://www.instagram.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>Vampires don’t scare me. </p>

<p>Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear. </p>

<p><em>— Crystal Decker </em></p>

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

<p>What spooks me the most </p>

<p>Is not a ghoul or a ghost </p>

<p>But steep health care bills.</p>

<p><em>— </em>Sasha Zitter</p>

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

<p>No, not eye-gouging. </p>

<p>My costume is scarier: </p>

<p>Pharma price-gouging.</p>

<p><em>— Siri Palreddy</em></p>

<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>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

2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

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