Jimmy Kimmel’s son Billy, who was born with congenital heart disease and who has been at the center of the talk show host's arguments around U.S. healthcare, had his second open heart surgery last week. So, Kimmel brought him on Monday's show.
Kimmel has taken time off during Billy's surgery, instead inviting guest hosts Chris Pratt, Melissa McCarthy, Tracee Ellis Ross and Neil Patrick Harris to keep the seat warm.
Billy's surgery was a roaring success, and Kimmel thanked the doctors and nurses at the Children’s Hospital LA for his son's treatment. "Daddy cries on TV but Billy doesn't," said a tearful Kimmel during his opening monologue.
Kimmel has been at the forefront of the U.S. healthcare debate recently, slamming the proposed Graham-Cassidy bill for not providing coverage for kids like Kimmel's son (and rejoicing when it was blocked). On Monday's show, Kimmel championed the CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), administered by the Department of Health to cover families with modest incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid. Kimmel says Congress has failed to approve funding for it this year. He also urges people to enrol for healthcare before the cut-off date on Dec. 15.
Billy has one more surgery planned for when he's six years old, then he's done. Go get 'em Billy!
Topics Jimmy Kimmel Live Celebrities
