This bill establishes a comprehensive national plan to coordinate federal efforts in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with developing and periodically updating an integrated national plan, providing information on federal investment, and coordinating research and services across all federal agencies. Key activities include encouraging the development of effective treatments, improving early diagnosis and care coordination, and reviewing the impact of epilepsy on individuals and caregivers. The legislation also mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services to advise the Secretary on epilepsy-related issues. This Council will comprise representatives from various federal departments and agencies, alongside expert non-federal members including individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and non-profit organization representatives. The Advisory Council is required to meet quarterly, convene biennial meetings with other experts, and submit regular reports to the Secretary and Congress evaluating federally funded efforts and recommending priority actions. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary to conduct annual assessments of the nation's progress in addressing the burden of epilepsy and submit annual reports to Congress detailing federal efforts and recommendations. It also mandates data sharing among relevant agencies to support these reporting requirements. The overall goal is to foster research, improve patient outcomes, strengthen data systems, increase public awareness, and reduce the financial impact and disparities associated with epilepsy, with the provisions set to sunset on December 31, 2035.
Advisory bodiesCongressional oversightHealth promotion and preventive careMedical researchNeurological disorders
National Plan for Epilepsy Act
USA119th CongressS-494| Senate
| Updated: 2/10/2025
This bill establishes a comprehensive national plan to coordinate federal efforts in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with developing and periodically updating an integrated national plan, providing information on federal investment, and coordinating research and services across all federal agencies. Key activities include encouraging the development of effective treatments, improving early diagnosis and care coordination, and reviewing the impact of epilepsy on individuals and caregivers. The legislation also mandates the creation of an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services to advise the Secretary on epilepsy-related issues. This Council will comprise representatives from various federal departments and agencies, alongside expert non-federal members including individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and non-profit organization representatives. The Advisory Council is required to meet quarterly, convene biennial meetings with other experts, and submit regular reports to the Secretary and Congress evaluating federally funded efforts and recommending priority actions. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary to conduct annual assessments of the nation's progress in addressing the burden of epilepsy and submit annual reports to Congress detailing federal efforts and recommendations. It also mandates data sharing among relevant agencies to support these reporting requirements. The overall goal is to foster research, improve patient outcomes, strengthen data systems, increase public awareness, and reduce the financial impact and disparities associated with epilepsy, with the provisions set to sunset on December 31, 2035.