May 9, 2017

The 'Jimmy Kimmel test': Cassidy vs. Kimmel

A week after his emotional monologue about his newborn son's heart defect, Jimmy Kimmel had a strikingly serious interview last night with Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of the Republicans who's trying to steer his party toward a more moderate health care plan. Cassidy has pledged to make sure any bill passes "the Jimmy Kimmel test," but Kimmel grilled him on what that should actually mean:

  • Cassidy: It should lower premiums so middle-class people can afford them (he acknowledged that the House bill doesn't). Also: "You have to have a health care program that not only works for the patient, but works for the taxpayer."
  • Kimmel: "Since I am Jimmy Kimmel, I'd like to make a suggestion as to what the Jimmy Kimmel test should be ... No family should be denied medical care, emergency or otherwise, because they can't afford it."

Kimmel on how to pay for it: "Don't give a huge tax cut to millionaires like me."

Clip starts at about 6:30:

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Rebecca Falconer
Updated 2 hours ago - World

Pandemic plunges U.K. into "largest recession on record"

The scene near the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England in the City of London, England. Photo: Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

The United Kingdom slumped into recession as its gross domestic product GDP shrank 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) confirmed Wednesday.

Why it matters: Per an ONS statement, "It is clear that the U.K. is in the largest recession on record." The U.K. has faired worse than any other major European economy from coronavirus lockdowns, Bloomberg notes. And finance minister Rishi Sunak warns the situation is likely to worsen.

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Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Health

World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

The United Kingdom slumped into recession on Wednesday, as its gross domestic product GDP shrank 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year.

By the numbers: Over 741,400 people have died of the novel coronavirus globally and more than 20.2 million have tested positive, per Johns Hopkins. Almost 12.6 million have recovered from the virus.

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Axios
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 a.m. ET: 20,294,091 — Total deaths: 741,420— Total recoveries: 12,591,454 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 a.m. ET: 5,141,207 — Total deaths: 164,537 — Total recoveries: 1,714,960 — Total tests: 63,252,257 — Map.
  3. States: Georgia reports 137 coronavirus deaths, setting new daily record — Florida reports another daily record for deaths.
  4. Health care: Trump administration buys 100 million doses of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine.
  5. Business: Moderna reveals it may not hold patent rights for vaccine.
  6. Sports: Big Ten scraps fall football season.
  7. World: Anthony Fauci "seriously" doubts Russia's coronavirus vaccine is safe
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