SACRAMENTO - Today Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill by Assembly Member Karen Bass (D-Los Angles) that will continue health insurance coverage for families transitioning out of the low-income Healthy Families program.

Prior to the Governor's signature California law deemed a person ineligible for the Healthy Families program if the parents' salary is increased or the child turns 19 years old. The family must wait until "open enrollment" before they can become covered by a new insurance program. With the signing of Bass' measure the definition of "late enrollee" will now be expanded to allow families in transition to stay insured.

"Children and families cannot afford to spend one day without health insurance," explained Bass, "This new law is about protecting families in the event of an unexpected incident."

The Healthy Families Program offers low cost insurance for children and teens up to age 19. It provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who meet the program rules and do not qualify for free Medi-Cal.

AB 1533 does not mandate nor expand coverage on health plans and allows health plans to continue to offer coverage under their existing terms and conditions.