‘Stop Using My Name, OK? Because I Don’t Want My Name on It’ Kimmel Tells GOP Senator
Jimmy Kimmel is taking a rare political stand and standing up to Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. A physician, Cassidy, 59, had supported Kimmel after the ABC late-night talk show host’s newborn son was found to have a congenital heart defect, which Kimmel shared with the nation in May after the child underwent expensive surgeries and medical treatment that could have bankrupted other families if they did not have insurance – or good insurance.
Cassidy promised Kimmel on his show that any ObamaCare “repeal and replace” bill he supported would have to pass what he called “the Jimmy Kimmel test.” Basically, that test is, “No family should be denied medical care, emergency or otherwise because they can’t afford it.”
But right now Cassidy is pushing his very dangerous Graham-Cassidy bill, which does none of the things Cassidy promised.
Kimmel Tuesday night went after Cassidy, saying “he wasn’t very honest” about the legislation he would support.
“He said he would only support a healthcare bill that made sure a child like mine would get the health coverage he needs, no matter how much money his parents make,” Kimmel charged.
“He said he wants coverage for all. No discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, lower premiums for middle class families, and no lifetime caps. And guess what? The new bill does none of those things.â€
“Most of the Congresspeople who vote on this bill probably won’t even read it. And they want us to do the same thing,” Kimmel told his audience. “They want us to treat it like an iTunes service agreement. And this guy, Bill Cassidy, just lied right to my face.”
“And by the way, before you post the nasty Facebook message saying I’m politicizing my son’s health problems, I want you to know I am politicizing my son’s health problems—because I have to,” Kimmel said. “My family has health insurance; we don’t have to worry about this. But other people do. So you can shove your disgusting comments where your doctor won’t be giving you a prostate exam once they take your healthcare benefits away.â€
“You were on my show,†Kimmel concluded. “You seemed like you were a decent guy, but here’s the thing: nobody outside of your buddies in Congress wants this bill. Only 12 percent of Americans supported the last one, and this one is worse. Right now there’s a bipartisan group of senators working to approve the healthcare system we have. We want quality, affordable healthcare. 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, O.K.? Because I don’t want my name on it,” he said.
“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 any time.â€
“So if this bill isn’t good enough for you, call your congressperson,” Kimmel urged. (You should call your Senators and congressperson, all at the same number.) “That’s the number, it will go to your congressperson, whoever he or she is: 202-224-3121. You have to do this, you can’t just click like on this video. Tell them this bill doesn’t pass your test.”
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