Kimmel gives an update on his son's condition and calls out Newt Gingrich for false health care claim when he returns to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after paternity leave.
- May 9, 2017
AceShowbiz - Jimmy Kimmel returned to "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday, May 8 after taking paternity leave and he wasted no time to respond to criticism about his emotional healthcare plea. During his monologue, the comedian gave update on his son's condition and hit back at haters, particularly Newt Gingrich.
"One week ago tonight I made an emotional speech that was seen by millions, and as a result of my powerful words on that night Republicans in Congress had second thoughts about repeal and replace," he began. "They realized that what is right is right and I saved health insurance in the United States of America," he added, before correcting himself, "I didn't save it? They voted against it anyway? I really need to pay more attention to the news."
Kimmel assured viewers that his son Billy is "doing very well." He showed a video taken by his wife Molly showing the little boy smiling. He also thanked those who donated to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles after he shared the story about his son's heart disease.
The ABC host then called out the New York Post and the Washington Times which published negative headlines about him. "I don't think it's a real newspaper," he said. Of being labeled an "out of touch, Hollywood, elitist creep" by other newspapers, he said, "My dream was to become an out of touch Hollywood elitist, and I guess it came true."
"And I would like to apologize for saying that children in America should have health care. It was insensitive, it was offensive, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," he sarcastically added, before he pointed out "some very sick and sad people," including Newt Gingrich, who claimed that no children were denied care because their parents could not pay.
The former House Speaker also criticized late-night comedians, to which Kimmel responded, "Listen, Newt Gingrich does know a lot about comedy. This is a man who helped lead the impeachment effort against Bill Clinton for trying to cover up his affair while he was having an affair. That is hilarious."
Kimmel also had a chat with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy to discuss the plan to rewrite the House bill. Cassidy has proposed something which he calls the "Jimmy Kimmel Test," which would make adequate coverage for pre-existing conditions a priority.
Cassidy said the Senate bill aimed to "cover pre-existing conditions while lowering costs for middle-class Americans," while defending President Donald Trump whom he said had the same goal. Kimmel then suggested, "The Jimmy Kimmel Test I think should be no family should be denied medical care, emergency or otherwise, because they can't afford it. Can that be the Jimmy Kimmel Test, as simple as that?"
When Cassidy mentioned that the hard part would be figuring out how to pay for it, Kimmel said, "Well, I can think of a way to pay for it, is don't give a huge tax cut to millionaires like me and instead leave it how it is." Cassidy urged people to call their Senator to endorse that concept.
