Jimmy Kimmel’s pointed monologues about the failures of the American health care system have transformed his late night show from a frat-boy hang-out to a vital voice of commentary and indignation, and he shows no signs of stopping. Last night, he returned from a week off to plead with America’s legislators to renew funding for CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), which is currently in its third month of waiting for Congressional reauthorization. “Why hasn’t CHIP been funded already?” Kimmel asked. “If these were potato chips they were taking away from us, we would be marching on Washington with pitchforks and spears right now.”
He also had a special guest for the monologue. Kimmel took the time off to be with his family as his young son Billy recovered from heart surgery, so Billy joined him on-camera for the CHIP plea. Kimmel noted the program had previously received bipartisan support – and really, it’s hard to argue with funding children’s health, unless you’re a fucking monster! – but has now become “a bargaining chip.”
“It’s on the back burner while they work out their new tax plans,” Kimmel explained, “which means parents of children with cancer and diabetes and heart problems are about to get letters saying their coverage could be cut off next month. Merry Christmas, right?”
Watch it:
That number, if you missed it, is (202) 225-3121.