Jimmy Kimmel sheds light on infants born with a birth defect in terms of health care coverage. The talk show host's monolog during the opening of his show delves on the Affordable Care Act for children with birth defects.
The new father shared his son's condition at the start of his show. His monolog included the struggle of his family as his son, Billy, battled a congenital heart disease. Part of his monolog touched the need of an Affordable Care Act among families having children born with birth defects, Washington Post noted. Kimmel's statement opened up a leeway of what could potentially happen if the Act would be revoked.
“No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child’s life,” Kimmel said, as per Today. "If your baby is going to die - and it doesn't have to - it shouldn't matter how much money you make."
Aside from Kimmel, health care providers are also worried as to what the future could hold for families that are struggling in making ends meet. The physical and emotional burden would often plague parents having children with birth defects. Lack of funds to afford treatment can play a significant role in the family's overall state.
“The physical, emotional and financial tolls that families experience caring for children with complex chronic health problems are already extraordinary,” Dr. Jay Berry, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital said, New York Times reported. “It’s unfathomable, then, that we could make things worse by limiting or taking away the child’s health care coverage.”
More than 40,000 infants are born with birth defects each year. Parents are worried as the Affordable Care Act is at stake of being replaced after the House already submitted the measure to have it repealed.
The Act, which was already submitted to the House last Thursday, was reportedly approved by the majority. Their goal for the replacements was to reshape American health without having a mandated insurance coverage.
