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Jimmy Kimmel took the rest of last week off after last Monday's episode, in which he delivered that startling emotional 13 minute monologue telling the story of the birth of his new son William (who had to have open heart surgery) and decrying Republican's attempts to rescind Obamacare and deny health insurance to anyone. Kimmel returned to late night yesterday, and addressed his critics head-on: "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."
Kimmel started the segment by recapping the week he had been off-air: "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," Kimmel said. "They realized that what is right is right and I saved health insurance in the United States of America...I didn’t save it? They voted against it anyway? I really need to pay more attention to the news."
He proceeded to lace into his critics, including the NY Post, the Washington Times ("I don’t think it’s a real newspaper") and people like Newt Gingrich: "There are some very sick and sad people out there, here’s one of them," he said while introducing a clip of Gingrich claiming that no children are being denied care because their parents cannot pay. "I don’t know if the double layers of Spanx are restricting the blood flow to his brain."
As for Gingrich criticizing Kimmel's comedy, he added: "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."
After that, Kimmel then grilled Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy about rewriting the House bill, and what Cassidy refers to as the "Jimmy Kimmel Test," which would make adequate coverage for pre-existing conditions a priority.
“Senator, since you mentioned this test, since I am Jimmy Kimmel, I would like to make a suggestion as what the Jimmy Kimmel Test should be," he said. "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?"
As for how to pay for it: "Well, I can think of a way to pay for it: don't give a huge tax cut to millionaires like me and instead leave it how it is."
