How do I afford healthcare as a broke pre-med student? 😷

[Monica]

I'm pre-med so you'd think I'd be less worried about health stuff. But honestly? I'm terrified. A 2026 Texas policy report found that "cost is the single largest barrier" for young adults, with 26% delaying or skipping care because they can't afford it .

That's literally me. I've had this cough for two weeks and I'm just... ignoring it. Hoping it goes away.

The report also said that even when young Texans have insurance, "care remains functionally inaccessible due to coverage, cost, and capacity" . So basically, even if I sign up for something, I still can't get help.

What do actual Texas students do? Where do you go when you're sick but broke?

 

[Parker]

Monica, that Young Invincibles report is terrifying. 26% of us are skipping care because of cost . I'm in that statistic too. Here's what saved me: the student health center. At my school, the fee is bundled into tuition. I didn't even know I had it until a friend told me. Now I go for everything. Annual checkup? Free. Mental health counseling? Free. Lab work? Cheap. Check your tuition breakdown. You're probably already paying for it. Use it.