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

By ��ýҕ�l 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 ��ýҕ�l 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 ��ýҕ�l Health News’ social media accounts (, , and ) 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, ��ýҕ�l Health News reporting continues year-round. Send us your haikus at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: /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/��ýҕ�l 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/��ýҕ�l 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/��ýҕ�l 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/��ýҕ�l 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/��ýҕ�l 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/��ýҕ�l Health News; Haiku: Brynne McBride)

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/��ýҕ�l Health News; Haiku: Paul Hughes-Cromwick)

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/��ýҕ�l Health News; Haiku: Micki Jackson)

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/��ýҕ�l Health News; Haiku: Michael L. Millenson)

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

By ��ýҕ�l Health News Staff Illustrations by Oona Zenda October 31, 2025

Article HTML

<h2>A Bite, a Bill, and a Bureaucratic Chill in Winning Halloween Haikus</h2>
	<span class="byline">�������ýҕ�l Health News Staff and Oona Zenda</span>
	<span class="byline photographer">
		<span>Illustrations by <a href="/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 �������ýҕ�l 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 �������ýҕ�l Health News’ social media accounts (, , and ) 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, �������ýҕ�l Health News reporting continues year-round.��<strong>Send us your haikus</strong> at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: <a href="/contact-haiku/">/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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