Obama breaks silence on health care fight after Jimmy Kimmel's tearful monologue
Kimmel's story about his newborn's medical issues inspired former President Barack Obama to speak out on saving his health care program.
Former President Barack Obama has largely kept to the sidelines during President Trump's first 100 days in office.
But after watching Jimmy Kimmel's emotional comments about the need for insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, Obama has broken his silence about the importance of the Affordable Care Act, known as ACA and often referred to as Obamacare.
"Well said, Jimmy," Obama wrote on Twitter. "That's exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy."
While these are Obama's first public comments about his signature piece of legislation since the inauguration, he has reportedly pointed out privately that Obamacare is more popular these days than President Trump. Recent Gallup polling places Obamacare's popularity at 55 percent, while placing Trump's approval rating at 43 percent.
During the opening moments of his ABC talk show Monday night, an emotional Kimmel skipped the jokes and gave a tearful 15-minute monologue about the complications that occurred with the birth of his son, Billy.
"It was a scary story and before I go into it, I want you to know it has a happy ending," Kimmel told the largely silent Jimmy Kimmel Live studio audience, as he described how a relatively normal birth on April 21 turned into a nightmare when his son was diagnosed with a birth defect involving his heart.
Fortunately, the newborn received the care he needed, and though he'll need to have another open-heart surgery within the next six months and a third procedure when he becomes a teenager, Kimmel said the baby is now home with his wife and 2-year-old daughter and "doing great."
Kimmel also used the story to make a plea for politicians to ensure Americans have access to affordable health care, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.
"If your baby is going to die it shouldn't matter how much money you make," he said.
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Kimmel's comments come as Republicans are attempting once again to push through their version of health care, a plan to repeal-and-replace Obamacare that currently involves allowing states to opt-out of the pre-existing condition requirement that the current health care law imposes.
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan, who has authored numerous bills over the years to repeal Obamacare, is the latest high-profile Republican to come out against his party's own health care legislation.
"I told the leadership I cannot support this bill with this provision in it," Upton said on a local Michigan radio program, referring to the pre-existing condition plan.
"I know there are a good number of us who have raised real red flags and concerns," Upton continued. "It is not going to get my 'yes' vote the way it is."