Former President Obama responded to comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s announcement Monday about his newborn son’s heart defect.
In discussing the health scare, Kimmel made an emotional plea to lawmakers to keep the Affordable Care Act in place, arguing that Democrats and Republicans shouldn’t let “partisan squabbles divide us on something every decent person wants.”
"Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there was a good chance you would never be able to get health insurance because you had a preexisting condition,” Kimmel said. “You were born with a preexisting condition, and if your parents didn’t have medical insurance, you might not even live long enough to get denied because of a preexisting condition."
Obama tweeted out the video of Kimmel’s monologue, along with a message of support for his comments.
“Well said, Jimmy,” Obama wrote. “That's exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations!”
Well said, Jimmy. That's exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations! https://t.co/77F8rZrD3P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 2, 2017
Hillary Clinton also commented on the video.
“Watch & prepare to tear up,” she wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “Thanks @jimmykimmel for sharing your story & reminding us what's at stake w/health care.
Watch & prepare to tear up. Thanks @jimmykimmel for sharing your story & reminding us what's at stake w/health care.https://t.co/2kTEeUEG2f
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 2, 2017
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