Jimmy Kimmel
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Jimmy Kimmel revealed that his son Billy underwent his third (and hopefully final) open heart surgery over Memorial Day weekend.
“We approached this experience with a lot of optimism and almost as much fear and came away with a new valve inside a happy, healthy child,” the late night host wrote. ‘ABC on Instagram on Monday, captioning a photo of Billy smiling in what. It looks like a hospital bed.
Kimmel then praised the doctors, nurses and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where Billy was treated.
“We hope you never need CHLA, but if you do, know that it helps families regardless of their ability to pay, thanks in large part to the Affordable Care Act (another tribute to the late Senator John McCain), generous donations from companies like Disney, for whom I am proud to work and especially from generous people like you,” Kimmel wrote.
He also thanked friends, family and even strangers for their support of Billy.
“Shout out to my wife Molly for being stronger than any mom is reasonable and Billy, you’re the toughest (and funniest) 7 year old we know,” Kimmel added .
He then urged people to support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and local children’s hospitals.
Kimmel has previously spoken openly about Billy’s health issues.
Shortly after Billy’s birth, Kimmel opened up about Billy’s congenital heart defect and his then-baby’s need to have open heart surgery, again at Children’s Hospital, at just three days old. The procedure went well but inspired Kimmel to advocate for health insurance coverage.
“If your baby has to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make,” Kimmel said during his emotional monologue shortly after Billy’s birth in 2017.
Kimmel’s remarks come amid concerted efforts to repeal the ACA by then-President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress in 2017. In a memorable late-night vote that That summer, three Republican senators, including the late John McCain, voted against repealing the ACA. . This law, one of former President Barack Obama’s major policy achievements, is still in effect.
Kimmel continued to update viewers on Billy’s condition and, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter later in 2017, explained what prompted him to speak out about his son’s condition as he did.
“I knew I had to say something and I knew I would get emotional. It occurred to me that maybe we could do something positive with this,” he explained. “I had a lot of time to think at the hospital, and it just so happened that our government was deciding whether or not millions of people should get health care at that time. I think it had a big impact on American citizens. I’m not sure, given the vote of our so-called leaders, that this had much impact on the Senate or the House.
He added: “I don’t see what the difference is between health care and education. Every child should have the right to education. We don’t seem to have a problem paying for it. I was relieved when the (GOP bills) didn’t pass, but it’s far from over. I fear that those who oppose Obamacare will do everything they can to make sure it doesn’t work. Nothing is perfect, but when people oppose something, the path is difficult. I fear these politicians don’t care about the people they represent. I’ve talked with so many people who firmly believe that the reason they’re alive, or their brother is alive, or their parents are alive, is the Affordable Health Care Act. It’s undeniable if you talk to people.
Kimmel’s wife and editor-in-chief, Molly McNearney, echoed these thoughts in a separate interview with THR.
“I just don’t understand. For me, children’s access to health care, regardless of their parents’ income, should not be a divisive issue, but it is where we are right now as a country,” he said. she said, explaining how the 2016 election, in which Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, inspired her to become more politically active.
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News Source : www.hollywoodreporter.com
