A recent monologue by talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel has entered political conversation over the latest ACA replacement bill, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Here are eight things to know.
1. Mr. Kimmel performed his monologue on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Monday. During the monologue, he detailed his son's birth and the subsequent discovery of the newborn's heart condition, according to the report.
2. Mr. Kimmel's son, Billy, was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. The heart condition is characterized by four related congenital heart defects, according to USA Today. According to the report, less than 20 percent of the one in 2,500 newborns with TOF are affected by the pulmonary atresia variety. Mr. Kimmel's son ultimately underwent surgery to address the health condition.
3. During his monologue, Mr. Kimmel also focused on the importance of healthcare coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and called on lawmakers to preserve these policies, reports WSJ. He urged: "No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child's life."
4. The host's monologue comes as lawmakers debate a revised Republican healthcare plan unveiled last week, and days after President Donald Trump reassured CBS viewers people with pre-existing conditions would be covered under the new healthcare bill.
5. The revised ACA replacement plan, offered by Rep. Tom MacArthur, R.-N.J., would allow states to seek waivers to opt out of the ACA's community rating rule, which bars insurers from charging different premiums "based on age, gender, health status or other factors." States that receive waivers would be required to offer a government-subsidized high-risk pool or a reinsurance program to make health plans more affordable for seriously ill individuals, reports The New York Times.
6. However, those opposed to the revised healthcare plan contend it might lead patients with cancer, diabetes or multiple sclerosis to see premium rates surpassing the standard rate, reports NYT.
7. Mr. Kimmel's monologue brought out responses from both political parties over the issue, WSJ reports. Among those urging lawmakers to preserve protections for people with pre-existing conditions are former President Barack Obama, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., according to the report.
Mr. Obama tweeted: "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!"
8. Meanwhile, Republicans contend the revised healthcare bill would in fact preserve these protections, according to WSJ.
The legislation "helps us lower premiums while keeping protections for the most vulnerable in place," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said statement cited by WSJ.