Democratic legislators took their pro-Obamacare message on the road Thursday, convening a hearing in Bakersfield to examine the repercussions of repealing the Affordable Care Act. Lawmakers and witnesses took pains to emphasize the looming effects of repeal of the Affordable Care Act in the region. Kevin de Leon and Hernandez all emphasized the harmful impact to Kern and Tulare counties, which McCarthy represents, should Obamacare be repealed. Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez warned that rolling back Medi-Cal coverage would drive more patients to emergency rooms, straining the local public hospital, Kern Medical Center. "It is the worst possible moment to be withdrawing access to healthcare in the Central Valley," Iton said.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 20, 2017 02:28 UTC