Story highlights Kimmel on Monday opened up about his son's battle with a heart defect

Kimmel's told the story of his newborn son having health issues

Washington (CNN) Some conservatives are criticizing late night host Jimmy Kimmel for calling for greater health care coverage in light of his newborn son's health problems.

In an emotional monologue Monday, Kimmel opened up about his son's battle with a heart defect. He defended the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and encouraged viewers to put aside their political differences to hold politicians accountable for health care issues. The remarks garnered widespread sympathy and praise from Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who cited Kimmel's comments to draw attention to the health care debate on Capitol Hill.

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But some conservatives believe Kimmel misconstrued the broader debate over health care.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney called Kimmel's clip Wednesday "very emotional" before sharing his own story about his 17-year-old triplets being born with health issues.

"I have seen the agility of having a premature baby or sick baby," he told Fox News before adding, "Everybody, I think, agrees with Jimmy Kimmel. We have enough money in this country to provide care for those types of folks."

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