Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel continued his arguments against the latest Republican effort to repeal ObamaCare, taking aim at President Trump Thursday night and joking he would “sign anything if it meant getting rid of ObamaCare.”
“For Donald Trump, this isn’t about the Graham-Cassidy bill. It’s about getting rid of Obamacare, which he hates, primarily because Obama’s name is on it. … At this point he would sign anything if it meant getting rid of ObamaCare. He’d sign copies of the Koran at the Barnes and Noble in Fallujah, if it meant he could get rid of ObamaCare.”
Kimmel’s quip on Trump came after the president defended Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.), who co-sponsored the bill.
{mosads}“I would not sign Graham-Cassidy if it did not include coverage of pre-existing conditions. It does! A great Bill. Repeal & Replace,” Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Cassidy’s legislation.
The president’s tweet appeared to be in response to Kimmel’s criticism of Cassidy for failing “the Jimmy Kimmel test,” a phrase Cassidy created himself during previous efforts to repeal ObamaCare.
The senator in May said any effort to repeal and replace the health-care law must pass “the Jimmy Kimmel test,” a nod to Kimmel’s plea about pre-existing conditions as he revealed that his son was born with a heart defect.
The new legislation would repeal much of ObamaCare by converting funds for certain provisions into block grants to states. It would also enable states to waive the rule within ObamaCare that protects individuals with pre-existing conditions from being charged higher premiums because of the illness.
Kimmel told viewers Thursday night that he thinks Trump doesn’t know what’s in the bill.
“I guarantee [Trump] doesn’t know anything about this Graham-Cassidy bill He doesn’t know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. He barely knows the difference between Melania and Ivanka,” Kimmel said.
The segment by Kimmel adds to a growing feud between the late-night host and GOP lawmakers who support the bill. Republicans have gone after Kimmel for his criticism, suggesting he isn’t qualified to talk about it as a comedian.
Kimmel addressed those lawmakers Thursday and called for viewers to reach out to their lawmakers.
“I see these comments from these angry people, that say ‘What qualifies you to talk about this stuff, you’re a comedian — go back to being not funny,’” Kimmel said. “I feel like it’s my duty to remind these people who are so concerned about my qualifications: The guy you voted for President — his job qualification? Was this: He fired Meatloaf. And you put him in the White House.”
“So, I’m going to say it again, it is more important than ever: Call your senators and tell them not to gut American health care, not to turn their backs on people with pre-existing conditions. Call him or her, encourage your friends and family to call too, and let me know how it goes.”