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Read. Follow. Verify.National Plan for Epilepsy Act
Last action · August 10, 2026: Held at the desk.Sponsors: Eric Schmitt and 27 others
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill proposes a new federal initiative to coordinate epilepsy research, diagnosis, and treatment across government agencies. It would establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services to provide recommendations and report on progress to Congress.
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.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
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.
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.
Show all 10 facts
- 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?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
10 actions- Aug 10, 2026HouseHeld at the desk.
- Aug 10, 2026HouseReceived in the House.
- Aug 10, 2026SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
- Aug 4, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4426-4427; text: CR S4426-4427)
- Aug 4, 2026SenateFloorPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 28, 2026SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 526.
Show 4 earlier actions
- Jul 28, 2026SenateCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Jul 22, 2026SenateCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Feb 10, 2025SenateCommitteeRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Feb 10, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
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 →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 23 more 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
Sources
www.congress.gov
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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