Jimmy Kimmel: Senator Bill Cassidy 'lied to my face' about health care bill

Jimmy Kimmel is publicly taking Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy to task for lying "to my face" about his intentions for the new Republican health care bill.

Cassidy appeared on Kimmel's show earlier this year, not long after Kimmel revealed that his newborn son had a life-threatening heart condition. During the interview, Cassidy said that any future health care plan must pass what he called a "Jimmy Kimmel test," which ensured specific protections for children.

During his Tuesday monologue, Kimmel slammed the senator for failing to meet the requirements he himself had promised.

"When he was on this publicity tour, he listed his demands for a health-care bill very clearly. These were his words," Kimmel said. "He said he wants coverage for all, no discrimination based on preexisting conditions, lower premiums for middle-class families and no lifetime caps. Guess what? The new bill does none of those things."

Cassidy "just lied right to my face," Kimmel continued. "This bill actually does past the Jimmy Kimmel test, but a different Jimmy Kimmel test. With this one, your child with a preexisting condition will get the care he needs — if, and only if, his father is Jimmy Kimmel. Otherwise, you might be screwed."

In April, Kimmel's newborn son Billy had to undergo open heart surgery at three days old. Days later, Kimmel shared the emotional story with his audience before pleading with the government not to strip away federally-funded healthcare.

"There's a new Jimmy Kimmel test for you, it's called the lie detector test," Kimmel told Cassidy as he wrapped up his monologue. "You're welcome to stop by the studio and take it anytime."

Afterward, on Twitter, Kimmel urged his followers to voice their dissent. By morning, the plea had gone beyond viral at more than 46,000 retweets.