I got sick during my Ph.D.—but couldn’t afford treatment. Grad students need better support

From ScienceMag:

I stepped out of the car, travel backpack in hand, returning from winter break rested and rejuvenated by seeing friends. I was feeling optimistic about my health, too. A recent appointment with an ear specialist had offered some hope that doctors would be able to diagnose the cause of the dizziness that had plagued me since nearly the beginning of my Ph.D. and finally treat it effectively. But what I found in my mailbox made my heart race: a stack of medical bills, the latest additions to the pile of unpaid invoices already sitting on my dresser.

When I first arrived in the United States from Brazil to pursue my Ph.D., I felt nothing could stand in my way. But a few months into my studies, a persistent dizziness crept in. Walking to campus, reading papers, and even grocery shopping left me unsteady. I rushed to the university clinic, where the doctor said I had vertigo and recommended rehab. But I had heard countless stories of graduate students paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for treatment of various ailments, and I was hesitant to rack up bills that would certainly outpace my meager stipend. Instead, I turned to YouTube, where I found at-home exercises. For weeks, every night before bed, I moved my head from side to side, then up and down. Eventually, the symptoms disappeared. I thought I was in the clear.

Two years later, the dizziness returned. This time, the exercises failed, and over-the-counter medications offered little relief. With my worsening symptoms making it difficult to keep up with my Ph.D. work, I didn’t see any alternative but to seek medical treatment despite my worries about the cost. I went back to the doctor, who referred me to an ear specialist. I called to book an appointment, only to be told the wait was 4 months. Far from my family, with no clear treatment plan, I felt helpless and frustrated.

Shortly afterward, I traveled out of state for winter break in a larger city, where I secured a last-minute appointment with an ear specialist. After being referred to one medical center, then another, I was given a steroid shot and orders for a brain MRI and more ear tests. No final diagnosis yet, but a clear message: The dizziness would likely return until I found the cause. Still, the steroids brought my first moment of relief in months.

Back home, after collecting the pile of medical bills from my mailbox, I contacted the university’s health insurance office for a cost estimate for the recommended tests. Even with my student insurance, the out-of-pocket amount was far beyond what I could afford. Then came another blow: The referrals from the out-of-state doctors weren’t valid locally. I would still need to wait for the in-state ear specialist appointment. There I was, facing the imminent return of my symptoms, medical bills piling up, and unable to schedule or afford the tests I needed. My stress levels soared.

In the weeks that followed, I began to experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and insomnia. After I wore a doctor-ordered heart monitor for 2 days, the diagnosis came back as sinus tachycardia—in other words, stress-induced anxiety. My body was sounding an alarm I could no longer ignore: This situation was unsustainable.

That was 3 months ago. Since then, I finally had my in-state appointment; with it came new referrals and, of course, more bills. This time, however, I have found a stopgap solution: I travel to Brazil yearly to conduct fieldwork, and during those trips I also attend medical checkups. This year, with multiple U.S. medical referrals in hand, I was able to schedule tests that will finally get me closer to a diagnosis. It’s unbelievable to think that, even with travel costs, care can be so much cheaper or even free through Brazil’s public and universal health care system. I know I’m lucky to have this option. Many other students face similar challenges without it.

Medical expenses can be overwhelming, especially for international students whose visas often restrict us from earning income beyond our stipends. No student should have to choose between financial survival and medical care. No student should lose valuable time and mental energy over something as fundamental as health care. Universities must step up and provide more comprehensive health coverage for their students so we can focus on our work.

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