National Plan for Epilepsy Act
February 10, 2025
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
The bill mandates the creation of a national strategy to address the $54 billion annual cost of epilepsy and improve care for the nearly 3.5 million Americans living with the condition.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Individuals living with epilepsy
The bill aims to coordinate care and research that could impact diagnosis, treatment access, and quality of life.
Federal health agencies (NIH, FDA, CDC, etc.)
These agencies are required to participate in the Advisory Council and coordinate their epilepsy-related research and services.
Epilepsy caregivers
The bill includes caregivers in the Advisory Council and mandates that the national plan address their needs.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services must establish a 'National Plan for Epilepsy' to coordinate research, prevention, and treatment across all federal agencies.
- An Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services will be created, consisting of federal agency representatives and 13 non-federal experts (patients, caregivers, providers, and researchers).
- The Advisory Council must meet at least quarterly and hold public meetings.
- The Secretary must produce an annual progress assessment starting 2 years after enactment.
- The Advisory Council must submit a report to Congress every 2 years, starting 18 months after enactment, evaluating federal efforts and recommending priority actions.
- Epilepsy affects approximately 3,000,000 adults and 456,000 children in the U.S.
- Annual healthcare costs associated with epilepsy exceed $54 billion.
- 32% of adults with epilepsy are unable to work.
- 53% of individuals with uncontrolled seizures live in households earning less than $25,000 per year.
- Individuals with epilepsy have a 3-times higher risk of early death than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of the National Plan for Epilepsy?
Who will serve on the Advisory Council?
Will the public be able to participate?
Why It Matters
The bill mandates the creation of a national strategy to address the $54 billion annual cost of epilepsy and improve care for the nearly 3.5 million Americans living with the condition.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Federal Coordination Focus
The bill shifts from fragmented agency research to a centralized 'National Plan' model, explicitly requiring inter-agency coordination between the NIH, FDA, CDC, and others.
Connected Entities
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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