Jimmy Kimmel has once again delivered an impassioned speech about health care. This time, he spoke against Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, whom he accused of lying to his face over the GOP plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Kimmel has been wading into the health care waters since May, when he announced his infant son, Billy, had to undergo heart surgery soon after his birth.
Shortly after, Cassidy appeared on Kimmel's show, saying any Republican health care bill would have to pass the "Jimmy Kimmel test."
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He said this meant that the bill would have to provide coverage for kids who needed health care, like Billy, no matter how much money their parents had.
However, Kimmel said he was shocked when he read Cassidy's new health care proposal, the Graham-Cassidy bill, because it didn't fulfill any of the promises that he and the senator had previously discussed.
If you too are disappointed in Sen @BillCassidy #GrahamCassidy let them know it - call (202) 224-3121
Kimmel accused Cassidy of lying to his face, and said, “I am politicizing my son's health problems because I have to":
Sen. Cassidy, you were on my show, you seem like you’re a decent guy. But here’s the thing: Nobody outside of your buddies in Congress wants this bill. Only 12% of American supported the last one, and this one is worse. Right now, there’s a bipartisan group of senators working to improve the health-care system we have. We want quality, affordable health care. Dozens of other countries figured it out.
So instead of jamming this horrible bill down our throats, go pitch in and be a part of that, I’m sure they could use a guy with your medical background. And if not? Stop using my name. Okay? ’Cause I don’t want my name on it. There’s a new Jimmy Kimmel test for you — it’s called the lie detector test. You’re welcome to stop by the studio and take it anytime.
Many Democratic politicians shared Kimmel's monologue, thanking him for speaking out against the bill.
Thank you for speaking the truth, @JimmyKimmel. Graham-Cassidy will hurt many Americans. Call your Senators at (202… https://t.co/UaroJz60sr
Thank you @jimmykimmel for speaking out against Republicans' attempt to take health care from 30 million Americans.
And one journalist called it a "brutal takedown."
Brutal takedown. "Stop using my name." "There's a new Jimmy Kimmel test for you. It's called a lie detector test." https://t.co/1AmfHlQFIh
Others called it "extraordinary."
The Trump administration has politicised a generation of late night TV hosts. See this extraordinary segment from J… https://t.co/LecGJNHP6d
Many people thanked Kimmel for speaking out.
It's pretty incredible that a late-night comedian is the guy pointing out that Sen. Bill Cassidy is brazenly lying. https://t.co/6dJ5GzQFFU
"We live in an America where comedians have to beg for the lives of sick people. Thank you for standing up, Jimmy Kimmel," said one person.
We live in an America where comedians have to beg for the lives of sick people. Thank you for standing up, Jimmy Ki… https://t.co/3qlURyWQAU
However, other people criticized Kimmel's position.
Jimmy Kimmel very angry that Sen Cassidy "lied" to his face. Has no problem with Obama lying to entire country. "If you like your Dr...."
"I wonder if using your sick child to save a shitty healthcare bill passes the 'Jimmy Kimmel comedy test,'" said one critic.
I wonder if using your sick child to save a shitty healthcare bill passes the 'Jimmy Kimmel comedy test'.
In response to the criticism, Cassidy told CNN he was "sorry [Kimmel] does not understand."
"There are more people who will be covered under this bill than under the status quo," Cassidy said. "Everybody fears change. Even if it's worse to better, they don't want change."