By Bakersfieldnow staff, Bakersfieldnow, January 19th 2017

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — State Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina convened an informational hearing of the Senate Health Committee on Thursday in Bakersfield to show “what is at stake should the Republican Congress follow through with its repeal plans” of the Affordable Care Act, according to his office.

The hearing took place in the board chambers in the County Administrative Center.

Hernandez’s office says repealing the ACA would “strike a devastating blow” to the health care for millions of Californians, and the state would suffer the loss of more than 200,000 jobs.

He, along with Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, have written Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy to urge him to break with his Republican compatriots in the ACA repeal effort.

Woman speaking at “Obamacare” hearing says it saved her life; without it, meds would cost more than she earns pic.twitter.com/rXalOQdyar

— Carol Ferguson (@carol29news) January 19, 2017

Friday night, people will rally in downtown Bakersfield against the ACA repeal.

Speeches and a candlelight vigil will be organized by the Outreach, Enrollment, Retention, and Utilization Committee at 6 p.m. by the Liberty Bell off Truxtun Avenue, according to a news release sent by SEIU Local 521 and Dignity Health – Community Health Initiative of Kern County.