Congress·In Committee·S. 494

Congress moves to create a National Plan to coordinate epilepsy research, care, and federal reporting

National Plan for Epilepsy Act

Part of: Congress Proposes National Plan and Advisory Council for Epilepsy

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

↔Companion bill: Congress Proposes National Strategy to Coordinate Research and Cures for 3.4 Million Americans with Epilepsy

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Creates a National Plan to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy, led by the federal health agency.
Requires federal agencies to better coordinate epilepsy research and services, and share epilepsy-related data to track progress.
Sets up an Advisory Council that includes federal agencies plus people living with epilepsy, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and nonprofits.
Calls for regular public meetings and ongoing reports to Congress on what the federal government is doing and what should happen next.
Aims to improve early diagnosis, better coordinated care, and safer, more effective treatments—especially for people with uncontrolled seizures.

HealthcareEducationData Privacy

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(4)

Chronic Illness

Neutral

Military Active

Neutral

Military Veteran

Neutral

Veterans Benefits

Neutral

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 10, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Feb 10, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the bill becomes law

Federal agencies begin building and maintaining the National Plan for Epilepsy

Over time, federal epilepsy work is supposed to be less scattered, making it easier for research, public health, and clinical programs to aim at the same goals.

Within months after the bill becomes law

Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services is formed and starts meeting at least quarterly

Patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, nonprofits, and agencies get a regular public forum to push for priorities like specialized care access, stigma reduction, and safer treatments.

No later than 18 months after enactment

First Advisory Council report is delivered to the Health Secretary and Congress

Congress and agencies get a concrete list of what’s working, what’s not, and what to fund or fix next for epilepsy research, care, and data systems.

No later than 2 years after enactment (then every year)

First nationwide progress assessment on epilepsy burden and readiness is completed

The federal government must publicly measure progress and recommend priority actions, which can drive future program changes and budgets.

No later than 2 years after enactment, then every 2 years

Regular public expert convening on epilepsy research occurs

New research findings and gaps are discussed in a structured way, which can speed up shared priorities and reduce duplicated efforts.

Every year after enactment

Annual report to Congress on all federally funded epilepsy efforts becomes routine

Programs and agencies face ongoing pressure to show results and coordinate, which can translate into better guidance and possibly future resources.

2035-12-31

Authority for the National Plan ends unless Congress renews it

If not extended, required coordination, assessments, and reporting would stop after this date, which could slow progress unless replaced by a new law.