President Obama has a message for Jimmy Kimmel (tweet):

[demmiblue]

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[frazzled]

1. Every Congressperson considering the ACA repeal debacle should watch this video

I'm surprised it hasn't been discussed here more today. When someone like Kimmel can provide a real-life example of something that touches on NIH funding, universal right to health insurance, and the issue of pre-existing conditions, it's very effective: because the whole message is that while a privileged person like this endured such a traumatic experience, one has to consider what happens to people less privileged. Everyone should have the right to save their baby's life, and to be assured for the years-long medical needs that will ensue.

This really touched me, maybe because we had a new baby granddaughter in the same week (no problems, thankfully).

[demmiblue]

4. Yes, every last one of them. Grrr.

Less privileged people also have the added burden of insufficient parental leave. Fear of being fired (or being fired outright) and lack of acceptable time for parental bonding are just two issues. Then add on future surgeries and hospitalizations like in this case. A nightmare struggle, to be sure.

P.S. Congratulations on your new grandaughter!

[Bleacher Creature]

2. I just have one TINY quibble with Kimmel's statement.

Don't get me wrong, it was brilliant and he deserves a huge amount of credit. I just don't like the following quote:

“If your baby is going to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?”

Although nobody is going to argue with this, Democrats are already there. Even the worst Democrats in Congress support this concept. It's entirely a GOP issue, and needs to be treated as such.

[Ezior]

3. Also, many Republicans are on record disagreeing with Kimmel

They will say that at least the parents had ACCESS TO health care that would help their baby. If they can't afford that care, tough luck!

Or maybe they would blame the parents after the baby died, because the parents bought an iPhone.

And maybe they would say that the parents didn't want their baby to live, it was their choice.

And they might say that Jesus wants it to be that way. It's in the bible.

[Bleacher Creature]

5. Not sure if you were saying that last part in jest, but it's actually true!

It's called the "prosperity gospel" and it's pure evil:

https://thinkprogress.org/an-ultra-capitalist-christian-sect-is-taking-center-stage-at-the-rnc-thanks-to-donald-trump-39d8ce323288

Sometimes satire merges with reality.

[gratuitous]

8. The really hilarious thing? There is something in the Bible that is totally on point

And guess what? It isn't the Republican position! I know, knocks you over with a feather, doesn't it? The story is in John 9, starting off with consideration of a man born blind, and the timeless discussion about whose fault it is.

[calimary]

9. Hey, I can have "access" to prime rib every time I go to a fancy restaurant.

Sure - I can look at that menu anytime! There! That's certainly "access," 'eh?

But if I only have enough money for a burger patty and a side salad, it doesn't matter how much purported "access" I have to the prime rib.

As far as the Biblical thing, a lot of these folks fall back on Proverbs and St. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians - that all say "if you do not work, you shall not eat."

But if they claim to be Christians, why don't they follow what CHRIST said? Never mind the self-appointed middlemen and latecomer interpreters and talking heads of their day.

And what did Christ say? Try Matthew 25: 35-45. The one about "whatever you do to the least of these" (like let them starve when they're hungry, leave them out in the cold when they're homeless, or ignore them and let 'em die when they're sick). That's one passage from Scripture that you'll NEVER hear coming out of the mouths of the self-anointed holier-than-thou crowd.

[uponit7771]

11. +1, and the M$M ... CONTINUES ... CONTINUES ... to miss the point on this and ask dumb ass'd ...

... questions about what he's going to do with PeC !!!

[pansypoo53219]

6. the publikkkans believe in bootstraps more than insurance.

[Gothmog]

7. I miss having a real POTUS

[jayschool2013]

10. Damn taker babies

Should have been born healthy, am I right?

[LAS14]

12. K & R

[central scrutinizer]

13. And all those sick kids who chose

To be born into poor families should just accept their lot in life.

[Hulk]

14. Our sleazeball rep, jamie herrera-beutler has a similar story

...but she couldn't care less about anyone else's child, because she is/was covered with congressional coverage.

I emailed her office, the coward idiot who hides behind "telephone townhalls", to demand she tells me whether or not she supports these latest aborted attempts to repeal the ACA, and she refuses to respond with a straight answer.

I am so disgusted with her and every other heartless, selfish and self-centered repulican sack of human trash in Congress today.

In 2018, this country had better wise up and get off their lazy asses to kick these parasites out of Washington.

[L. Coyote]

15. Must SEE video. Thanks.

[HockeyMom]

16. Coworker 's $1M Claim

Trying to keep her newborn alive. Group insurance. Not only did they drop her coverage, but they entire group's policy. Hundreds of employees and their families lost their health insurance as well. Poor baby only lived a few months.

Agency scrambled to find another insurer. They wanted to charge enormous rates because of that one claim.

Get rid of these insurance companies.