Sponsors (80)
Creates a coordinated, transparent national strategy likely to improve care and outcomes for people with epilepsy, but it raises federal costs, administrative burdens, data‑privacy risks, and leaves long-term certainty limited by a 2035 sunset.
People with epilepsy and their caregivers will get a coordinated national plan to improve prevention, early diagnosis, treatment access, care coordination, and efforts toward a cure, likely improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Federal coordination, annual assessments, and reporting will increase transparency about federal investment and measurable progress on epilepsy, helping taxpayers and policymakers track results and reduce duplicative efforts.
An expert Advisory Council that includes patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers will ensure lived experience and scientific guidance shape policy and research priorities.
Implementing the National Plan will require additional federal spending, which could increase taxpayer costs or necessitate redirecting funds from other programs.
The plan’s 2035 sunset date creates uncertainty for long-term research programs and services that need sustained, multi-decade commitment, risking interruptions to research and continuity of care.
Requirements to share data across agencies to implement the plan could raise privacy and data‑protection risks for patients unless strong safeguards are enforced.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federally led National Plan for Epilepsy, requires regular assessments and interagency coordination, and establishes an advisory council to guide research, care, and services.
Introduced February 11, 2025 by Jim Costa · Last progress February 11, 2025
Creates a federally led National Plan for Epilepsy that requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish, maintain, and periodically update an integrated national strategy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. The Secretary must coordinate research and services across federal agencies, publish estimates of federal investment, solicit public input, and produce an initial assessment within two years and annual assessments thereafter. Establishes an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services with specified federal and non‑federal members (including people living with different types of epilepsy, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers), regular public meetings, and biennial convenings to advise the Secretary and advance recommendations for priorities and implementation. The law requires coordination with international bodies but does not appropriate new funding in the text provided.