In numerous American schools, rules require students to bring doctor’s notes after missing school due to illness. However, 40 million Americans cannot afford healthcare, so they can’t visit a medical practitioner to receive aid, nor provide a note.

According to the annual Milliman Index Report released in June 2018, a typical family of four insured by the most common provider can expect to spend more than $28,000 a year on healthcare. When considering that a typical family’s annual income is only $59,039, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, paying for healthcare is pushed onto the back burner when it comes to providing food and shelter for their loved ones.

Therefore, students from families in this income range cannot provide notes, which leads to potential loss of points on work for an unexcused absence.

A note from the parent indicating the reason for absence should be enough.