Bill > S494

This bill establishes a comprehensive National Plan for Epilepsy to address the significant challenges faced by individuals with epilepsy, a brain disorder affecting nearly 3 million adults and 456,000 children in the United States. The bill creates a national project to prevent, diagnose, treat, and potentially cure epilepsy, which will be overseen by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Key provisions include establishing an Advisory Council comprised of federal agency representatives and experts with diverse epilepsy experiences, who will meet quarterly and produce biennial reports to Congress. The plan requires coordinating research across federal agencies, encouraging the development of safe treatments, improving early diagnosis and care coordination, and conducting annual assessments of progress in addressing epilepsy. The Advisory Council will focus on various priorities, such as reducing stigma, increasing access to specialized care, preventing epilepsy-related mortality, and addressing health disparities. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded epilepsy efforts and providing recommendations for improvement. Notably, the legislation acknowledges the complex nature of epilepsy, including that in approximately half of all cases, the underlying cause is unknown, and over 30 percent of people with epilepsy experience uncontrolled seizures. The National Plan for Epilepsy is set to operate until December 31, 2035, with the goal of comprehensively addressing the medical, social, and economic impacts of this challenging neurological condition.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/494/all-info