Health

Should You Hide Emotions in Front of Kids After a Mass Shooting?

Published

8 months ago

July 22, 2022

Just a few days before the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, I got a text message from my 11-year-old son in the middle of the day — somewhat unusual, since he knows he’s not supposed to text during school.

“I’m OK right now,” it read, “but I’m in a lockdown, and if worse comes to worst I love you.”

I had to read the message a few times before the words actually made sense. When they did, my head spun, I felt cold and hot all over, and I had to lean against a wall to steady myself.

For the next 2 hours, I waited for official updates from his school, my stomach knotting and churning all the while.

My son and I established, over a flurry of text messages, that he was safe in a classroom “with advantages for escape” and mostly feeling calm. He joked about the lockdown possibly being due to a bear visiting the school grounds.

Still, I could tell he was scared. He asked me to give each of our pets “lots of love” from him and warned me not to call, just in case.

Turns out, the school went into lockdown after some students reported that another student had brought a gun to school. It ended up being a rumor — I’m extremely fortunate my son never faced any real danger.

Later, when we talked through the day, he said he hadn’t wanted me to worry about him. I assured him he’d done just the right thing texting me, no matter how frightened I’d been.

I didn’t detail in words exactly what I had feared, but I also didn’t hold back. I reminded him it was OK to feel scared, upset, even angry, and that talking about those feelings could help us work through them.

The experience drove home the current nightmarish reality of parenting in the United States: Sending a child to school each morning means acknowledging the chance they won’t come home.

To add to the nightmare, children have to face that reality themselves each time they run through an active shooter drill or learn about the most recent school shooting.

If you think that sounds overly dramatic, consider this:

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that firearm-related injuries had overtaken traffic accident injuries to become the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.

That means more U.S. children (anyone between the ages of 1 and 19) die by acts of gun violence than by any other cause of death, including:

car crashes
drug overdose or poisoning
suffocation
drowning
illness or accidental injury

In the face of data like that, how are you supposed to hide your fear, frustration, and anger in front of your kids when news of yet another school shooting breaks? I argue that you shouldn’t keep those emotions to yourself — and experts largely agree.

My kid reacts easily to stressors, feels injustice deeply, and quickly picks up on tension and excitement. In short, he’s pretty sensitive.

Children can be fairly perceptive, and they often notice more than you realize — especially when it comes to your own thoughts and emotions.

If you’re anything like me, you want to shield your child from unnecessary pain and distress and protect them — as much as possible — from frightening or upsetting experiences. So, when you despair over world events and begin to lose hope that things will ever improve, you might instinctively try to keep those feelings to yourself.

But when you try to smooth over your emotions, saying, “I’m fine,” “Don’t worry, or “Everything will be OK,” you do yourself and your child a disservice.

As the study above suggests, emotional suppression doesn’t benefit anyone. Not you, and not your child. Plus, when you essentially lie —you aren’t really fine, after all, and you can’t promise everything will be OK — you can shatter the trust they’ve placed in you.

Know, too, that avoiding or hiding your feelings can eventually teach them to do the same thing, which can have major consequences for their emotional and mental health.

“Don’t worry that bringing up a recent traumatizing event will cause trauma for your child,” says Vicki Botnick, LMFT, a marriage and family therapist in Tarzana, CA. “They’re likely already hearing about these events and struggling to make sense of the information they’re getting from peers or social media.”

In fact, Botnick goes on to say, you have two good reasons to address these tough issues with your kids:

If they sense you’re avoiding a topic, they may learn to do the same. When they hide their confusion and fear, these repressed feelings can fester over time.
An honest discussion promotes open communication, which makes it more likely they’ll continue to come to you when they need guidance.

“Starting the conversation is important, in order to let kids know it’s acceptable and healthy to talk. We want them to feel like it’s okay to talk about difficult issues, challenging feelings, and taboo subjects, so that as they get older and grapple with more dangerous situations, they know we’re a safe person to check in with,” Botnick says.

Showing emotion around your kids can have a lot of value, but that doesn’t mean you should bedisplaying unregulated distress.

Instead, consider it an opportunity to demonstrate how to effectively regulate emotions.

“In order to create safety for our children when we speak to them, we need to be both regulated and nonjudgmental. Our regulation, or calmness, helps them feel safe to share. Our lack of judgment can help them feel like they can bring up anything without getting criticized or punished.” Botnick says.

As she goes on to explain, if you appear overly anxious, angry, or upset, they may feel as if they need to take care of you and shield you by hiding things, like their feelings.

Try this

If your emotions begin to become overwhelming, you don’t necessarily need to conceal that from your kids. Instead, use words to explain you’re having a tough time and demonstrate how you cope.

“I feel so upset after watching the news. I’m going to take a media break. Want to play a game together?”

“When I feel sad, I like to go somewhere that makes me feel better. Let’s pack a lunch, take a mental health day, and go to that park we love.”

“I’m having a hard time putting my feelings into words right now. I’m going to take the dogs outside, take some deep breaths, and collect my thoughts. We can talk more when I come back in.”

Consider, too, that your conversation will probably take a different shape depending on your child’s age.

Younger children who still don’t have a good grasp on their own emotions may have a hard time making sense of complicated feelings. They may simply feel distressed — or feel frightened by your distress — without knowing how to put those feelings into words.

Asking your child questions or introducing the topic in other ways can give them the opportunity to share how they feel.

“I know a lot of people are talking about guns and shootings. What do you know about what’s happening right now?”
“I’m feeling very sad and angry right now. What do you feel?”
“You might have a lot of confusing feelings right now, and that’s OK. It’s not always easy to talk about them, but talking can help, and I’m always here to listen.”

Try these tips to practice active listening.

Wondering how to best open the conversation? Not sure how to walk the fine line between sharing too much with your kids and too little?

Look to your child

“The key is letting your child lead,” Botnick emphasizes. “Ask them what they know first, so you can respond without adding a lot of new information and correct any inaccuracies. Be straightforward, but limit how much you share.”

Botnick also notes that less is more, particularly for young children, and when you feel too upset to stay calm. Offer simple, direct information and ask if they have any questions or additions.

The goal is to provide facts without giving them more information than they can handle at once.

Avoid empty reassurances

No matter how much you want to reassure your child, it typically doesn’t help to say things like, “Don’t worry, that will never happen at your school,” or “Everything’s fine.”

For one, they probably realize that everything is not, in fact, fine. They might also call you on the fact that you simply can’t know that for sure.

Avoid casting blame

If you feel angry about an average of 10 mass shootings a week, well, that’s a perfectly natural reaction. But blaming specific people or groups won’t address the larger problem of gun violence, and it likely won’t help you feel much better, either.

In some cases, doing so may even promote harmful stereotypes and lead your child to make assumptions about specific groups of people.

Keep it honest

Honesty is pretty much always the best policy, even when it comes to frightening news. That said, you’ll want to consider your child’s age and emotional needs when deciding how you share information.

If you can’t answer everything your child asks, it’s always OK to say so.

Older children and teens might feel more reassured when they have more facts and information. They’ll also respect you more if you admit you don’t know something rather than offer a vague or fudged answer.

Instead, offer your help with research so you can find the facts together.

Discuss safety measures

Botnick recommends framing conversations with school-aged kids around their safety.

“Make sure they know they’re being protected as well as possible, and steer the conversation toward the steps their school has taken to keep them safe.”

She also notes that it can help to mention positive things, like acknowledging people who stepped in to act bravely during a mass shooting or other traumatic event. You could also offer examples of specific actions people have taken to address gun violence.

Take their age into account

Tweens and teens might have more interest in the deeper issues around a mass shooting or other traumatic event, Botnick notes, so they may want to explore topics like emotional reactions and political ramifications in more depth.

“Sharing their outrage and concerns, while also modeling restraint, can help them feel understood,” she says.

Don’t try to solve it

Keep in mind that your kids may not always want a solution, if a solution even exists. Sometimes, they simply want to vent their pain and frustration.

You can help by acknowledging that distress — “I know you feel scared right now, I do, too” — without automatically switching to problem-solving mode.

Emphasize the importance of self-care

Showing your kids how you take care of yourself during difficult times can teach them to practice those same skills.

Aim to:

switch off TV and devices in favor of a book, game, craft, or time outdoors
honor family mealtimes and bedtimes during a crisis as much as possible
check in with your kids about everyday topics, like math class and college applications
encourage relaxation with hobbies and friends and loved ones

Botnick also emphasizes that kids of all ages might benefit from exploring ways to take action, which can help them avoid feeling trapped in feelings of helplessness and despair.

That could mean contributing with them to a charity, or attending (or planning) a discussion event so they can learn more about potential actions they can take.

Parenting in the United States is stressful. You might find yourself having regular discussions with your children about gun violence, but also topics like racism and hate crimes, police violence, turbulent politics, the climate crisis, and even the loss of bodily autonomy.

Masking your feelings about these complex topics might seem like a good way to protect your kids, but it often just adds to your emotional turmoil — and theirs.

Instead of pushing yourself to keep your emotions in check at all times, let your kids know it’s OK to cry and get angry. It’s OK to feel scared, sad, or even a little helpless. Then, help them practice soothing their own distress by showing them how you manage those feelings.

Crystal Raypole writes for Healthline and Psych Central. Her fields of interest include Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health, along with books, books, and more books. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. She lives in Washington with her son and a lovably recalcitrant cat.

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Health

Examples of the Effects of Mental Health Stigma

Published

5 months ago

October 27, 2022

Bobby Borisov

Over the past few decades, we’ve come a long way in how we view and talk about mental health.

And that should come as no surprise, because 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental health condition. Many people are also becoming more open to the idea of sharing their personal experiences.

But there’s still a stigma surrounding mental health. It’s a stigma, in fact, that affects millions of people around the world who live with mental health conditions. It affects everything from their social relationships and professional opportunities to the way they view themselves.

We’ll explore more about what mental health stigma is, and how we can all work to address this and improve the lives of people living with mental health conditions.

Mental health is often stigmatized because of a lack of understanding about what mental health conditions are and what it’s like to live with a mental health condition. Stigma can also arise from personal thoughts or religious beliefs about people who have mental health conditions.

Generally, the lack of understanding about mental health — as well as the harmful assumptions about people living with mental health conditions — is at the heart of a bias or stigma. This can result in avoidance, rejection, infantilization, and other discriminations against people who are neurodivergent or have a mental health condition.

We often use the word “stigma” to describe the overarching experience that people have. However, there are actually three types of stigma: public stigma, self-stigma, and institutional stigma.

Public stigma: This refers to the negative attitudes around mental health from people in society.
Self-stigma: This describes the internalized stigma that people with mental health conditions feel about themselves.
Institutional stigma: This is a type of systemic stigma that arises from corporations, governments, and other institutions.

While there are many examples of mental health stigma in society, here are some of the more common instances you might notice:

When people are viewed as attention-seeking or weak when they try to reach out and get professional help.
When others use harmful language, such as “crazy” or “insane”, to judge or trivialize people who have mental health conditions.
When people make jokes about mental health or certain conditions.
When people avoid others with certain mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, because of fear or misunderstanding.
When family or friends tell someone with depression that they can get better if they just “work out and get more sun,” or make other unhelpful judgments.
When someone living with a mental health condition views themselves as worthless or talks down to themselves because of their condition.
When companies refuse to hire someone or provide them with adequate accommodations because of their mental health.
When people view examples of neurodivergence as illnesses or something to be cured.

A 2021 study explored the trends of mental health stigma in the United States over a period of more than 20 years, between 1996 and 2018. In the study, researchers reviewed surveys from across the country on attitudes toward various mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, and alcohol dependence.

According to the study results, from roughly 1996 to 2006, people became more knowledgeable about mental health — including acknowledging differences between daily experiences and symptoms of diagnosable conditions.

And from around 2006 to 2018, there was a significant decrease in social stigma against depression — specifically, less desire to be socially distanced from people with depression. However, when it came to schizophrenia and alcohol dependence, not only did social stigma increase but so did negative perceptions of these conditions.

Another earlier study from 2018 took a slightly different approach in analyzing the social perception of mental and physical health conditions. In this study, researchers used automated software to track over a million tweets related to mental health and physical health over a 50-day period.

According to the results of the study, mental health conditions were more likely to be stigmatized and trivialized than physical health conditions. And the results varied by condition — with schizophrenia being the most stigmatized, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) being the most trivialized.

Intersectionality refers to how someone’s intersecting identities — such as race, gender, sexuality, or class — contribute to their own unique experience with discrimination and oppression.

When it comes to mental health, intersectionality can play a huge role not only in someone’s overall mental health, but also in how mental health stigma affects them.

For example, research suggests that Black and Latino people experience mental health conditions more severely and persistently than other racial or ethnic groups. Much of this imbalance stems from factors like institutionalized racism, prejudice, and other outside circumstances.

Another study from 2021 looked into the use of mental health services by young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in HIV care.

According to the researchers, less than 20% of the men who were referred to mental healthcare from the clinic continued to receive the recommended care — often as a result of increased social and professional stigma for men to go without mental healthcare of any kind.

Mental health stigma can have a hugely negative impact on the lives of people living with mental health conditions. In fact, stigma can often lead to mental, social, or even professional consequences for the people who are stigmatized.

Mental

People living with mental health conditions are more likely to experience low self-esteem and lower self-confidence if they’re stigmatized.

Stigma may lead to difficulty seeking treatment or even following through with treatment. And some people may experience increased symptoms of their condition, or even develop new ones — like anxiety or depression — because of experiencing stigma.

Self-stigma may even hinder someone’s ability to recover from a mental health condition. In one smaller study from 2018, researchers found that higher levels of self-stigma were associated with a decrease in recovery from mental health conditions.

Social

Social mental health stigma may lead to isolation from friends or family. People with mental health conditions may experience bullying or harassment from others — or possibly even physical violence.

And when others have a judgmental view of mental health, it can be difficult for people living with these conditions to build relationships with them.

Research has shown that perceived and experienced social stigma may also play a role in suicidality among people with mental health conditions. According to the literature, people who experience discrimination (even anticipated discrimination), social stigma, and self-stigma may be more likely to experience suicidal ideation.

Professional

Stigma in the professional world can lead to fewer opportunities to excel at school and fewer opportunities to advance at work. People living with mental health conditions may have difficulty fulfilling school or work obligations — especially if they have trouble with classmates, teachers, coworkers, or bosses.

It’s not just classmates or colleagues who contribute to mental health stigma in a professional setting, either. Research suggests that when healthcare professionals exhibit negativity toward people with mental health conditions, or have a lack of understanding about these conditions, it can prevent people from accessing high quality care.

Stigma comes from everywhere — institutions, society, and even ourselves. But we can all take steps to address and reduce the stigma of mental health:

Learn about mental health: One of the most important steps toward reducing mental health stigma is to learn more about it. Learning what mental health conditions look like and who they can affect can help reduce some of the fear, misunderstanding, and judgment around them.
Use words carefully: When we use words with negative associations, like “insane” or “crazy”, we contribute to the judgment and stigmatization of others. It may take some effort to change the way we speak, but it can help reduce the stigma that people with mental health conditions face.
Take part in campaigns: Many mental health organizations, like NAMI, create fundraising campaigns to help bring awareness and provide funding for mental healthcare. Even if you can’t get directly involved, these campaigns are a great way to learn more about people living with mental health conditions.
Share your story: If you’re someone living with a mental health condition, one of the most powerful tools for reducing stigma is to share your story. By educating people on what it’s like to live with a mental health condition, we can help reduce the misunderstanding and judgment that people feel.

Mental health stigma plays a significant role in the lives of people with mental health conditions — from the way that they’re treated to the way they feel about themselves. But we can take steps to reduce this stigma.

By being more mindful about how we speak to others, learning more about what it’s like to live with a mental health condition, and sharing our stories when we’re living with these conditions, we can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

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Health

Can People with Diabetes Eat Candy?

Published

5 months ago

October 27, 2022

Bobby Borisov

Eating candy can be a controversial topic for people with diabetes.

Misconceptions about sugar and candy being off-limits for people with diabetes can be found in the public mindset, in media and entertainment, and within the medical community itself.

With the Halloween season upon us, both kids and adults with diabetes as well as their loved ones and friends may face this issue even more often than at other times of the year.

This article will explore if people with diabetes can actually eat (and enjoy) candy, how much may be allowed, and whether sugar-free candy is worth considering.

Short answer: Yes, people with diabetes can eat candy.

Adults and children with diabetes (no matter the type) are just as entitled to a sweet treat occasionally as anyone else. Like everything else, details and context matter most, and moderation is key for anyone living with diabetes when it comes to food choices. High sugar foods and drinks can impact glucose levels more quickly and dramatically, so understanding how those influence your diabetes management is important.

People with diabetes must consider extra planning if they want to eat candy. They need to be cognizant about counting carbohydrates and dosing insulin correctly if they happen to use that hormone to help manage their condition.

It’s important to remember, too, that people with diabetes are typically watching the total carbohydrate count of food and drink, and not necessarily honing in on the sugar content.

While candy can make blood sugars rise more quickly, it’s that carb count that needs to be watched when consuming a piece of candy. The same applies to sugar-free candy, which also contains a certain amount of carbohydrates and that needs to be considered when factoring that food choice into your diabetes management.

Certain candies, such as those containing peanut butter or nuts, can take longer to impact blood sugars and won’t lead to as dramatic spikes immediately after eating them. However, other regular candies with sugar can cause quick spikes in blood sugar, and some medical professionals suggest eating a piece of candy closer to mealtime in order to “soften the blow” of a sudden spike in blood sugar.

Of course, you’ll still need to account for the calories and carbs contained within the candy.

While sugar-free candy certainly doesn’t get an award for being “healthy” per se, many people with diabetes (especially children) turn to it as an alternative to regular candy. The thought is that sugar-free candy may be healthier for blood sugar levels.

Sugar-free candy is made with artificial sweeteners, meaning that it can have a lighter impact on blood sugar levels.

However, a common misconception is that sugar-free candy does not impact blood sugar. It does, in fact, contain carbohydrates and calories. That means you still need to dose insulin or take glucose-lowering diabetes medications for those sugar-free candies.

If someone with non-insulin dependent diabetes is being mindful of their weight, eating sugar-free candy is not a free pass for sweets. These sugar-free options may sabotage weight loss efforts due to their high calorie content.

A non-diabetes-related benefit of sugar-free candy is that it’s kinder to teeth. Absent of the higher sugar contents, these sugar-free treats don’t lead to as much tooth decay or cavities often linked to frequent sugar consumption.

Additionally, there’s usually not a very big difference in terms of total fat or protein content in sugar-free versus regular candy.

Examples of artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free candy include:

stevia
sucralose
aspartame
saccharin

The big issue with sugar-free candy comes down to sugar alcohols in those treats, which can have some negative effects depending on how much you eat.

In this older study, researchers gave study participants either sugar or one of two kinds of sugar alcohol (erythritol and xylitol).

Side effects included:

diarrhea
nausea and upset stomach
bloating
excess gas

The study participants who were given sugar experienced no such side effects.

Sugar alcohols are considered fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, or a type of FODMAP. These are food molecules that some people cannot digest easily, especially when eaten in large quantities.

Sugar alcohols can also cause a laxative effect, especially if you’re prone to stomach issues.

While they contain fewer calories than sugar, they’re not calorie-free. Eating any treat in excess can inhibit weight loss or cause weight gain.

Eating sugar-free candy made with artificial sweeteners can also cause side effects, including interrupting the gut microbiome that is important to your health.

A 2019 study and older research show that saccharin, sucralose, and Stevia change the composition of gut microbiota. In one study, people who had disrupted gut bacteria also showed worse blood sugar control 5 days after eating the artificial sweetener.

While it may not be the healthiest low snack, treating any low blood sugar with fast-acting sugar can be helpful.

Some candies that contain sugar are very fast-acting. However, some others (including those with chocolate or peanut butter) have higher fat content and are slower to digest and take longer to impact blood sugars, so they may not be appropriate to treat severe hypoglycemia quickly enough.

Another con of eating candy to treat low blood sugars is that it can react quickly and if you eat too much, it may cause higher blood sugars (rebound highs).

Make sure to consult your diabetes care team about any concerns or questions relating to candy and treating low blood sugars.

Yes, children and adults with diabetes can and do eat candy. The key is moderation and making sure to track the number of carbohydrates and calories eaten. Sugar-free candies can be better for blood sugar levels, but they still contain carbs and calories. The sugar-alcohols in these treats can also cause upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and excess gas.

Candy can be used to treat hypoglycemia, but it may not always be appropriate for urgent low blood sugars requiring glucagon or emergency medical assistance.

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Health

Where Can I Go for Medical Care Without Insurance?

Published

5 months ago

October 27, 2022

Bobby Borisov

Finding affordable healthcare without insurance may seem daunting, but there are more options than you may think. Here are more than 18 resources that can provide assistance.

It’s no secret that accessing healthcare can be very expensive. If you don’t have insurance, those costs are even higher. In fact, 85% of uninsured people in the United States reported that paying for healthcare was difficult in 2022.

Fortunately, there are resources that can help you find and pay for medical care without insurance. You can find care at low or no cost with a variety of programs designed to help people without health insurance get the care they need.

Yes, you can get medical care if you don’t have health insurance.

In the United States, hospital emergency rooms are required to provide treatment regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Additionally, there are many medical facilities that provide routine care to people who don’t have insurance. You will be asked to pay for any care you receive, but there are ways to find healthcare at a lower cost.

There are a variety of options for seeking care if you don’t have insurance. Many of these options are designed to be affordable. In some cases, you might be able to get certain healthcare services for free.

You can find low cost or free care in several locations:

Community health centers

Community health centers are nonprofit health clinics that offer low cost or free care. Often, fees are set on an income-based sliding scale, and staff will work with you to determine your costs.

The exact services offered by a community health center depend on the location but generally include:

preventive healthcare
basic healthcare
family planning services
vaccinations
chronic condition management

Some community health centers also offer prescription medications and dental care. You can search for community health centers near you by checking here.

State or county departments of health

Your state or county department of health might cover certain healthcare services for eligible residents. Often, this includes access to preventive care, such as vaccines or screenings.

You might need to register in advance and prove that you reside in the county or state to receive free care.

You can search for your local department of health here.

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics offer care without an appointment. Often, these facilities offer reduced cost care for people who don’t have insurance. Some urgent care centers list costs for standard services on their websites.

You can also call ahead to talk with a representative about fees and possible cost reductions for people without insurance.

Pharmacy care clinics

Pharmacies, including the pharmacies inside major national chains such as Walmart, often provide preventive care services for free. These services are normally provided during health clinics held on specific days.

Services offered can vary but typically include:

You can check with your local pharmacy about any upcoming clinics, or search online for pharmacy clinics in your area.

Teaching hospitals

If you have a teaching hospital in your area, you might be able to receive care at a reduced rate. The exact care you can access at a reduced rate depends on the hospital and the needs of the medical students.

You can call the teaching hospital and ask whether they offer any reduced cost care.

Employer-sponsored wellness programs

Some employers offer wellness programs to their employees. In many cases, this includes preventive healthcare, such as annual vaccines and healthcare screenings.

You can check in with your human resources department if you’re not sure what healthcare benefits are part of your employer’s wellness program.

The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

You can use the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics website to search for health clinics and pharmacies in your area that offer free or low cost services.

The association is dedicated to caring for people who are uninsured or underinsured. There are more than 1,400 clinics and pharmacies in the association.

If you need assistance paying for care, you have a handful of options:

Charity care

Some states offer charity care that reduces the cost of medical care for people who meet income requirements. If you qualify, you can receive low cost or free medical care.

In certain states, people are screened automatically. In other states, you will need to apply for the program.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal program that provides healthcare for people who meet income requirements. Each state oversees its own Medicaid program. Income limits and exact coverage vary by state.

You can find your state’s Medicaid website here.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal program that provides healthcare for children. Just like Medicaid, qualifying for the program depends on income level. Each state sets its own income limits and coverage varies.

You can read about CHIP in your state here.

The Hill-Burton program

The Hill-Burton program provides funds to participating hospitals and healthcare facilities in exchange for offering a set amount of free or low cost care to people who meet income requirements.

You will need to apply for the Hill-Burton program with the admissions or business department of the healthcare facility. You can find a directory of Hill-Burton facilities here.

Aunt Bertha

Aunt Bertha is a social and human services database you can search to find programs in your area. This includes programs that can help you pay for healthcare.

You can enter your ZIP code and a category to find programs that will meet your needs.

Keeping prescription costs low is a great way to lower your overall healthcare costs. Here are some options:

Prescription drug manufacturer programs

The makers of many prescription drugs offer programs to help people afford their medications. You can often join these programs to get your medication at low or no cost. You might need to meet certain income requirements to qualify.

You can use RXAssist to search a database of manufacturer programs.

GoodRx

GoodRx is a website that will show you the prices of your medication at stores in your local area. It can also show prices at online and mail-order pharmacies. By comparing pharmacies, you can find the lowest price.

Plus, GoodRx will even help you find coupons and manufacturer discounts.

Pharmacy memberships

Walmart, CVS, and other pharmacies have membership programs that can save you money. By signing up for these programs, you can get access to discounts on your medication. You can also earn discounts to use on other pharmacy purchases.

Grants for charitable organizations can cover your medical costs. Some examples include:

The PAN Foundation

The PAN Foundation helps uninsured people who have received a diagnosis of a life threatening, chronic, or rare disease pay for their medical care. You can see a list of conditions the foundation currently provides assistance for on its website.

If you have a condition listed on the site, you can instantly check your eligibility and can then apply online for a grant.

The HealthWell Foundation

The HealthWell Foundation helps uninsured people with certain medical conditions pay for their medical expenses. You can see their list of covered conditions on its website.

If you have a condition covered on the site, you can apply for a grant that will cover your medical expenses.

Good Days

Good Days is an organization that can help people with chronic and acute conditions pay for their medical treatments. You can check out the list of covered conditions here.

Applications for assistance are available in both English and Spanish.

There are a few additional options you can explore to get access to lower cost or free healthcare. If you haven’t already, consider doing the following:

Ask the hospital or doctor’s office about installment payment programs.
Search for programs specific to a health condition you have.
Apply for low cost health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
If you’re a veteran, apply for VA benefits.
Sign up for clinical trials in your area to help researchers study new treatments.
Consider telehealth for conditions that don’t need in-person care.

You can learn more about accessing medical care without insurance by reading answers to common questions.

When can I enroll in Medicaid?

If you qualify for Medicaid, you can enroll at any time. Check out your state’s Medicaid website for income limits and other details.

What if I can’t pay an emergency room bill?

In an emergency, getting care is your No. 1 priority. But this can leave you with a bill that is outside of your budget, especially if you don’t have insurance.

However, medical bills are often negotiable. In many cases, you can call the hospital’s billing department to work out a plan.

If you’re unable to work out a plan with the hospital, there are nonprofit organizations that can help you apply for debt forgiveness.

Will healthcare professionals treat me if I don’t have insurance?

It’s illegal for healthcare professionals to refuse care in an emergency.

This isn’t the case for nonemergency care. Most healthcare professionals will list payments they accept on their websites.

If private pay is listed, you can get treatment without insurance. If it’s not, it’s best to call in advance to make sure the healthcare professional accepts patients who don’t have insurance.

You have options for receiving medical care even when you don’t have health insurance. There are several sources you can turn to for care, prescriptions, payment help, and more. Some programs are limited to certain states or certain health conditions.

Additionally, you will need to meet income requirements to qualify for some of these programs. If you don’t, options like telehealth and urgent care can help you cut costs.

You can also look into getting affordable insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

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