Health Care Heartaches: Your Winning Health Policy Valent...

What’s Happening

So basically KFF Health News shares our favorite reader-submitted health policy valentines.

One struck us in the heart and inspired an original cartoon. Health Care Heartaches: Your Winning Health Policy Valentines By KFF Health News Staff Illustration by Oona Zenda Republish This Story Health policy has never looked so flirtatious. (let that sink in)

Every year, our readers send us valentines that make us swoon, laugh, and occasionally clutch our insurance cards.

The Details

And in 2026, you did not hold back. You wrote about overcharging, rising insurance, AI in health care, and more.

Here are some of our favorites, starting with the poem that stole our hearts like a $0 billing balance — and then was turned into a cartoon News staff illustrator Oona Zenda. 1st Place (Illustration; Oona Zenda/KFF Health News) Runner-Up A box of chocolates?

Why This Matters

Just the usual Valentine’s occurrence. I’d rather Cupid chip in for my rising insurance. – Laura Wagner Email Sign-Up to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing.

Health experts are weighing in on what this means for people.

Key Takeaways

• Your Email Address Other Newsroom Favorites Damn, girl.
• Because its been impossible to find you.
• – Priya Bathija Feeling lonely on Valentine’s with no PCP I call all the offices, but no one can see me.
• My insurance suggests telehealth to thicken the plot, but with no one around, I’ll seek care from an AI robot.

The Bottom Line

– Sara Culley Roses are red, Violets are blue, If I had to choose health insurance or my house, I wouldn’t know what to do. – Thy-Ann Nguyen A Dose of Love: The Winning Health Policy Valentines Read our 2025 favorites Click to on X (Opens in new window) X Click to on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Republish This Story Oona Zenda: ozenda@kff.

What’s your take on this whole situation?