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Video: Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Emotional Monologue About Healthcare & Newborn Son's Heart Surgery
"I have a story to tell about something that happened to our family last week," Jimmy Kimmel said at the start of his show Monday night, with tears already swelling in his eyes. Kimmel proceeded to open up about his personal life in the startling emotional 13 minute monologue, telling the story of the birth of his new son William last week, and how he had to have open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Kimmel generously thanked each of the nurses, doctors, and various friends and family members who supported him and his wife through the very scary experience. And he was still able to get some jokes in, noting at one point, "Even that son of a bitch Matt Damon sent flowers." The monologue then pivoted to Kimmel getting explicitly political, something else he rarely does, decrying Trump's attempts to rescind Obamacare and deny health insurance to anyone:
We were brought up to believe that we live in the greatest country in the world, but until a few years ago, millions and millions of us had no access to health insurance at all. Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you’d never be able to get health insurance because you had a pre-existing condition. You were born with a pre-existing condition. And if your parents didn’t have medical insurance, you might not live long enough to even get denied because of a pre-existing condition. If your baby is going to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right? Let's stop with the nonsense, this isn’t footbal. There are no teams. We are the team, it’s the United States. Don’t let their partisan squabbles divide us on something every decent person wants. We need to take care of each other. I saw a lot of families there, and no parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child's life. It just shouldn't happen, not here. Thank you for listening.
Watch & prepare to tear up. Thanks @jimmykimmel for sharing your story & reminding us what's at stake w/health care.https://t.co/2kTEeUEG2f
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 2, 2017
And Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, shared a photo of their son:
I am thankful to love and be loved by these two brave guys. Both criers. pic.twitter.com/NL0C3K3Q4E
— Molly McNearney (@mollymcnearney) May 2, 2017
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Update: Obama also shared Kimmel's story:
Well said, Jimmy. That's exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations! https://t.co/77F8rZrD3P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 2, 2017
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