Jimmy Kimmel begs forgiveness for asking that ‘American children have health care’

May 09--Jimmy Kimmel isn't done talking about health care in America.

He returned to his late-night TV show Monday night after a week's absence to resume his argument that Americans deserve the same level of health care given to his infant son, the Associated Press reported.

After letting viewers know that his baby son Billy is recovering well from open-heart surgery, the host of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" returned to the topic that many said was a defining moment in the debate over health care: when he last week opened up about how his newly son required emergency surgery and now has a pre-existing condition.

During his emotional 13-minute monologue, Kimmel urged Americans to challenge attempts by congressional Republicans to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a law that could weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

On Monday night, Kimmel referred to that speech, "seen by millions," and joked: "As a result of my powerful words on that night, Republicans in Congress had second thoughts about 'repeal and replace' of the Affordable Care Act. I saved health insurance in the United States of America!"

Then he said: "What's that? I didn't save it? They voted against it anyway?"

The House last week approved the American Health Care Act.

After Kimmel quipped that he should pay more attention to the news, he dismissed critics who labeled him an elitist and Hollywood liberal who shouldn't talk about a fraught political issue or the concerns of the less well-off. He pointed out that, as a youngster, his family bought powdered milk because they couldn't afford fresh.

He then pretended to repent for last week's remarks: "I'd 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."

On last Monday's show, Kimmel detailed how Billy's routine birth April 21 suddenly turned terrifying when he was diagnosed with a hole in the wall separating the right and left sides of the heart and a blocked pulmonary valve, a condition known as tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Billy successfully underwent surgery, but will face more as he grows.

Using his son as an example, Kimmel called for health care for all and for pre-existing conditions to remain covered as provided by the Affordable Care Act passed under President Barack Obama.

"If your baby is going to die and it doesn't have to, it shouldn't matter how much money you make. ... Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?" he said.

The video of Kimmel's tearful monologue went viral and received praise by some, including President Obama, and harsh criticism from others, the Associated Press said.

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