Kimmel blasts critics of healthcare plea

by Rebecca Savransky - 05/09/17 7:26 AM ET

Jimmy Kimmel joked late Monday that he saved health insurance in the U.S. and blasted critics of his emotional healthcare plea.

His comments on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” came after an impassioned plea last week for ObamaCare as Kimmel revealed that his son was born with a heart defect.

“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” of the Affordable Care Act, Kimmel joked during his latest show.

“I saved health insurance in the United States of America!”

“What’s that? I didn’t save it? They voted against it anyway?” Kimmel said.

Kimmel, who said his son is doing well, also shot back at critics of his plea.

“I’d like to apologize for saying that children in America should have healthcare,” he said. “It was insensitive, it was offensive, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

{mosads}He took particular aim at former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who said this past weekend that doctors will do everything they can to save a baby and will not first request payment.

“Yes, it is true that if you have an emergency, they will do an operation. And that’s terrific if your baby’s health problems are all solved during that one visit,” Kimmel said.

“The only problem is that never, ever happens.”

Kimmel said his family has had a dozen appointments with doctors since his son’s surgery.

“You’ve got a cardiologist, the pediatrician, surgeon, some kids need an ambulance to transport them,” he said.

“That doesn’t even count the parents who have to miss work for all this stuff. Those details, Newt forgot to mention. I don’t know if the double layers of Spanx are restricting the blood flow to his brain.”

The House last week narrowly passed legislation aimed at repealing and replacing ObamaCare. Senate Republicans are expected to make significant changes to the House legislation as they try to put together a proposal that could pass the upper chamber.