H.R. 1189House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

National Plan for Epilepsy Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:48 AM UTC

The National Plan for Epilepsy Act creates a coordinated federal strategy to improve research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and eventual cure of epilepsy. It tasks the HHS Secretary with developing a comprehensive plan, aligning efforts across agencies, and reporting progress to Congress. An advisory council made up of government officials, patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and nonprofit representatives will guide the work, hold public meetings, and issue regular recommendations. The law also mandates annual assessments and reports, data sharing among agencies, and sets a sunset date of 2035.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create and keep updated a National Plan for Epilepsy that aims to prevent, diagnose, treat, and eventually cure the condition.
The plan requires the Secretary to coordinate epilepsy‑related research and services across all federal agencies, share information about federal spending, and promote new safe and effective treatments.
An Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services will be formed, including federal agency representatives and a diverse group of patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and nonprofit leaders; it must meet at least quarterly and hold public meetings.
The Council must produce a report for the Secretary and Congress every two years that evaluates federal epilepsy programs, recommends priority actions, and suggests ways to improve diagnosis, treatment, data collection, public awareness, and reduce disparities and costs.
The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress summarizing all federal epilepsy efforts, progress on the National Plan, and recommended next steps.
All federal agencies that hold epilepsy data must share it with the Secretary to support the reporting and assessment requirements.
The entire program will end on December 31, 2035, unless reauthorized.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 11, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 11, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 11, 2025

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 1189 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. Monica De La CruzR-TX-15 · Jul 9, 2026

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows: H.R. 7: Mr. Van Epps. H.R. 138: Ms. Norton, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, and Mr. Calvert. H.R. 491: Ms. Wilson of…

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public

bills and resolutions, as follows:

H.R. 7: Mr. Van Epps.

H.R. 138: Ms. Norton, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, and Mr. Calvert.

H.R. 491: Ms. Wilson of Florida.

H.R. 516: Mr. Mullin.

H.R. 569: Ms. Fedorchak.

H.R. 614: Mr. Lawler.

H.R. 652: Ms. Moore of Wisconsin.

H.R. 1055: Mr. Costa and Mr. Keating.

H.R. 1065: Ms. Garcia of Texas.

H.R. 1105: Mr. Gallagher.

H.R. 1106: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 1138: Ms. Salazar.

H.R. 1189: Ms. Clarke of New York.

H.R. 1227: Mr. Himes and Mr. Rulli.

H.R. 1229: Mr. Van Epps.

H.R. 1340: Mr. Obernolte.

H.R. 1589: Mr. Pappas.

H.R. 1685: Ms. DelBene.

H.R. 1700: Ms. McCollum.

H.R. 1782: Mr. Case.

H.R. 1787: Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Levin, Mr. Mrvan, Mr. Ivey, Mr.

Pocan, and Mr. Menefee.

H.R. 1946: Mr. Higgins of Louisiana.

H.R. 1970: Mr. Van Orden.

H.R. 2002: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 2028: Mr. Torres of New York.

H.R. 2089: Mr. Timmons, Mr. Van Epps, Mrs. Fischbach, and

Ms. De La Cruz.

H.R. 2120: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 2245: Mr. Carson.

H.R. 2305: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania and Mr. Magaziner.

H.R. 2332: Mr. Carey.

H.R. 2350: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania.

H.R. 2414: Ms. McBride.

H.R. 2509: Mr. Langworthy.

H.R. 2531: Mr. Costa, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Norcross, and Mr.

Van Orden.

H.R. 2587: Mr. Figures.

H.R. 2678: Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mrs. McIver, and Mr.

Conaway.

H.R. 2767: Mr. Lynch.

H.R. 2859: Ms. Ross.

H.R. 2936: Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Carbajal, and Mr. Amo.

H.R. 3045: Mr. Riley of New York and Mr. Whitesides.

H.R. 3057: Mr. Hunt.

H.R. 3105: Mr. Fitzgerald.

H.R. 3111: Mr. Pallone.

H.R. 3184: Mr. Crow and Mrs. Grijalva.

H.R. 3199: Mrs. Kim.

H.R. 3206: Mr. Cuellar.

H.R. 3223: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 3243: Mr. Cohen, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Casar,

Mrs. Foushee, Mr. Case, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms.

Pettersen, Mr. Castro of Texas, Ms. Brown, and Ms. Meng.

H.R. 3295: Mrs. Kim.

H.R. 3307: Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Buchanan.

H.R. 3310: Mr. Moskowitz.

H.R. 3505: Mr. Amo.

H.R. 3644: Mr. Subramanyam.

H.R. 3821: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 3906: Ms. Williams of Georgia.

H.R. 4092: Mr. Fulcher.

H.R. 4119: Mr. DesJarlais and Mr. Van Epps.

H.R. 4180: Mr. Beyer.

H.R. 4443: Mr. Larson of Connecticut.

H.R. 4487: Ms. Waters.

H.R. 4525: Mr. Deluzio.

H.R. 4620: Ms. De La Cruz.

H.R. 4696: Ms. Crockett and Mr. Torres of New York.

H.R. 4763: Mr. Raskin.

H.R. 4876: Ms. Scholten, Mr. Frost, and Mr. Crow.

H.R. 4881: Mr. Case.

H.R. 4958: Ms. Schrier.

H.R. 5106: Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona.

H.R. 5199: Mr. Nunn of Iowa.

H.R. 5203: Ms. Stansbury.

H.R. 5335: Mr. Gimenez.

H.R. 5448: Mr. McGovern.

H.R. 5463: Mr. Onder.

H.R. 5486: Mr. Pallone and Mrs. Fletcher.

H.R. 5521: Ms. Salinas.

H.R. 5543: Mr. Raskin.

H.R. 5549: Mrs. Spartz and Mr. Fulcher.

H.R. 5731: Mr. Figures.

H.R. 5791: Mr. Carbajal and Ms. Meng.

H.R. 6056: Mr. Correa, Mr. Meeks, and Ms. Williams of

Georgia.

H.R. 6130: Mr. Gray, Mr. Mrvan, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Larson of

Connecticut, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Costa, Mr.

Garbarino, Mr. Rouzer, and Ms. McClellan.

H.R. 6181: Mr. Cisneros and Mr. Harder of California.

H.R. 6509: Mr. Mrvan.

H.R. 6520: Mr. Messmer.

H.R. 6529: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6574: Ms. Goodlander.

H.R. 6610: Mr. McCormick.

H.R. 6617: Ms. Hoyle of Oregon.

H.R. 6677: Ms. Hoyle of Oregon and Mr. Amo.

H.R. 6682: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 6694: Ms. Velazquez and Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.

H.R. 6718: Mr. Carson.

H.R. 6766: Mr. Landsman and Mr. Obernolte.

H.R. 6806: Mr. Olszewski and Mr. Amo.

H.R. 6832: Mr. Feenstra.

H.R. 6849: Mr. Costa.

H.R. 7016: Mr. Beyer, Mr. Raskin, and Ms. Simon.

H.R. 7411: Mr. Carson.

H.R. 7539: Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Fine, Mrs. Miller of

Illinois, and Mr. Stauber.

H.R. 7601: Ms. Ocasio-Cortez.

H.R. 7622: Mr. Carson and Mr. Amo.

H.R. 7625: Mr. Garamendi.

H.R. 7651: Mr. Alford, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, and Ms.

Boebert.

H.R. 7905: Mr. Bacon.

H.R. 7945: Mr. Kustoff.

H.R. 7961: Ms. Houlahan and Mr. Amo.

H.R. 7977: Mr. Norcross.

H.R. 7986: Ms. Lofgren.

H.R. 7998: Ms. Norton.

H.R. 8016: Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

H.R. 8045: Mr. Scott of Virginia.

H.R. 8073: Mr. Figures.

H.R. 8162: Mr. Lawler.

H.R. 8200: Mr. Bost.

H.R. 8205: Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Mrs. Hayes, Mr.

Latimer, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. McBride, Mr. Riley

of New York, Mr. Conaway, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Ross, Ms.

Pingree, Mr. Himes, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Casten, Mr.

Landsman, Mrs. Grijalva, Ms. Mejia, Mr. Larson of

Connecticut, Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Peters, Mr. Jackson of

Illinois, Ms. Adams, Ms. Budzinski, Mrs. Beatty, Mr.

Magaziner, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Suozzi,

and Ms. Scanlon.

H.R. 8271: Ms. Tenney.

H.R. 8330: Mr. Gallagher.

H.R. 8373: Mrs. Grijalva.

H.R. 8375: Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Budzinski, and Mr.

Ciscomani.

H.R. 8411: Mr. Johnson of Georgia.

H.R. 8465: Mr. Keating.

H.R. 8468: Mr. Hunt.

H.R. 8490: Mr. Carson.

H.R. 8501: Mr. Figures and Mr. Thompson of California.

H.R. 8600: Mr. Whitesides.

H.R. 8666: Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Friedman, and Mr. Tran.

H.R. 8691: Mr. Carson and Mr. Costa.

H.R. 8730: Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Ms. Crockett, and

Mr. Mrvan.

H.R. 8839: Mr. Moskowitz.

H.R. 8887: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 8892: Mr. Carey.

H.R. 8898: Ms. McBride and Mrs. Miller-Meeks.

H.R. 8909: Ms. Velazquez.

H.R. 8939: Ms. Waters.

H.R. 8955: Mr. Crow.

H.R. 8979: Mr. Figures.

H.R. 8982: Mr. Suozzi, Ms. Simon, and Mr. Subramanyam.

H.R. 8990: Mr. Moran.

H.R. 9021: Mr. Thanedar, Ms. Titus, and Mrs. McIver.

H.R. 9032: Ms. Waters and Ms. Crockett.

H.R. 9043: Mr. McDowell.

H.R. 9048: Mr. Riley of New York, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia,

and Mr. Weber of Texas.

H.R. 9129: Ms. Salinas.

H.R. 9169: Mr. Van Drew.

H.R. 9183: Ms. Crockett.

H.R. 9189: Ms. Tlaib.

H.R. 9199: Mr. Norman.

H.R. 9204: Ms. Chu.

H.R. 9205: Ms. Chu.

H.R. 9211: Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Bell.

H.R. 9216: Mr. Cohen and Ms. Waters.

H.R. 9250: Mr. Garbarino, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Moore of West

Virginia, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Levin,

Mr. Flood, Ms. Chu, Mr. Meuser, and Ms. Crockett.

H.R. 9289: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 9293: Mr. Evans of Colorado and Mr. Mackenzie.

H.R. 9332: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 9339: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 9361: Mr. Finstad and Mr. Jackson of Texas.

H.R. 9370: Ms. Brown and Ms. Scholten.

H.R. 9371: Mr. Frost.

H.R. 9382: Mr. Mannion and Ms. Tenney.

H.R. 9401: Mr. Lawler, Mr. Crow, and Ms. DelBene.

H.R. 9411: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 9414: Mr. Vindman, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Keating, and Ms.

McBride.

H.R. 9417: Mr. Moylan, Mr. Haridopolos, Mr. Rogers of

Kentucky, and Mr. McDowell.

H.R. 9421: Ms. Tenney and Mr. Steube.

H.R. 9441: Ms. Dexter and Mr. Tonko.

H.R. 9448: Ms. Ross, Mr. Lieu, and Mr. Nadler.

H.R. 9451: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 9492: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 9508: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 9535: Mr. Van Drew.

H.R. 9580: Mr. Messmer.

H.R. 9591: Ms. Crockett, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Ms.

Williams of Georgia, Ms. Underwood, Ms. Simon, Ms. Wilson of

Florida, and Ms. Chu.

H.J. Res. 12: Mr. Ciscomani.

H.J. Res. 135: Mr. Whitesides.

H.J. Res. 200: Mr. Menendez and Mr. Pallone.

H. Con. Res. 37: Mr. Tonko, Ms. Bonamici, and Mrs. Foushee.

H. Con. Res. 44: Ms. Pingree, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr.

Vargas, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, and Mr.

Pocan.

H. Res. 547: Ms. Waters.

H. Res. 1025: Ms. Waters.

H. Res. 1382: Mrs. Biggs of South Carolina.

H. Res. 1384: Mr. Bell, Ms. Brown, Mr. Garcia of Illinois,

Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Norton, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Goldman of New

York, Mr. Castro of Texas, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Davis of

Illinois, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Mejia, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Takano,

Mr. Menefee, Ms. Salinas, Mrs. Foushee, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cohen,

and Mr. Gomez.

H. Res. 1395: Mr. Fields.

H. Res. 1415: Mr. DeSaulnier and Ms. Jayapal.

H. Res. 1420: Ms. Underwood and Ms. Bynum.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 11, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1189

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 2025

Mr. Costa (for himself and Mr. Murphy) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To establish a national plan to coordinate research on epilepsy, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Plan for Epilepsy Act.

Findings

Congress finds as follows:

(1)

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring and unprovoked seizures and affects people of all ages, affecting nearly 3,000,000 adults and 456,000 children in the United States.

(2)

Epilepsy and seizures can develop in any person at any age. One in 26 people will develop a form of epilepsy in their lifetime, with people from all demographic groups and walks of life being impacted.

(3)

In approximately half of all cases of epilepsy, the underlying cause of the disease is unknown.

(4)

Epilepsy is a spectrum disease comprised of many diagnoses and an ever-growing number of rare epilepsies. There are many different types of seizures and varying levels of seizure control.

(5)

Over 30 percent of people with epilepsy live with uncontrolled seizures.

(6)

Individuals with epilepsy have a 3-times higher risk of early death than the general population and that risk is even higher for individuals with uncontrolled seizures.

(7)

Thirty-two percent of adults with epilepsy are unable to work.

(8)

Fifty-three percent of individuals with uncontrolled seizures live in households earning less than $25,000 per year.

(9)

Health care costs associated with epilepsy and seizures exceed $54,000,000,000 per year in the United States.

Establishing a National Plan for Epilepsy

Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

320C.

Programs relating to epilepsy

(a)

National Plan for Epilepsy

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a national project, to be known as the National Plan for Epilepsy (referred to in this section as the National Plan), to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy.

(2)

Activities

In carrying out the National Plan, the Secretary shall—

(A)

establish, maintain, and periodically update an integrated national plan to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy;

(B)

provide information, including an estimate of the level of Federal investment in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy;

(C)

coordinate research and services related to epilepsy, across all Federal agencies;

(D)

encourage the development of safe and effective treatments, strategies, and other approaches to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy or to enhance functioning and improve quality of life for individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers;

(E)

improve the—

(i)

early diagnosis of epilepsy; and

(ii)

coordination of the care and treatment of individuals living with epilepsy;

(F)

review the impact of epilepsy on the physical, mental, and social health of individuals living with epilepsy and their caregivers;

(G)

solicit public comments and consider consensus recommendations from collaborations in the epilepsy community;

(H)

carry out an annual assessment on progress of the activities described in this subsection;

(I)

coordinate with international bodies, to the degree possible, to integrate and inform the global mission to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy; and

(J)

carry out other such activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(b)

Annual assessment

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall carry out an assessment of the Nation’s progress in preparing for and responding to the escalating burden of epilepsy. Such assessment shall include—

(1)

recommendations for priority actions;

(2)

a description of the steps that have been, or should be, taken to implement such recommendations; and

(3)

such other items as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(c)

Advisory Council

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish and maintain an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services (referred to in this section as the Advisory Council) to advise the Secretary on epilepsy-related issues.

(2)

Membership

The Advisory Council shall be comprised of—

(A)

representatives appointed by the Secretary from relevant Federal departments and agencies, including—

(i)

the National Institutes of Health;

(ii)

the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;

(iii)

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

(iv)

the Food and Drug Administration;

(v)

the Health Resources and Services Administration;

(vi)

the Department of Defense; and

(vii)

the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

(B)

expert non-Federal members appointed by the Secretary that reflect the diversity of epilepsy, including—

(i)

4 individuals, each of whom is living with a different type of epilepsy;

(ii)

2 family caregivers for individuals with epilepsy;

(iii)

2 licensed or accredited health care providers supported by a relevant professional medical society, including at least 1 epileptologist or neurologist;

(iv)

2 biomedical researchers with epilepsy-related expertise in basic, translational, or clinical population science or drug development science; and

(v)

3 representatives from 3 separate nonprofit organizations directly connected with epilepsy that have demonstrated experience in epilepsy research or epilepsy patient care and other services.

(3)

Meetings

(A)

In general

The Advisory Council shall meet at least once each quarter.

(B)

Meetings with other experts

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Advisory Council shall convene a meeting of Federal and non-Federal organizations to discuss epilepsy research.

(C)

Public meetings

All meetings of the Advisory Council shall be open to the public.

(4)

Reporting

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Advisory Council shall provide to the Secretary and Congress a report containing—

(A)

an evaluation of all federally funded efforts in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy, and the outcomes of such efforts;

(B)

recommendations for priority actions to better coordinate, expand, and better support Federal programs in order to better support people with epilepsy, epilepsy research, and data collection; and

(C)

recommendations to—

(i)

provide effective, timely, and responsive diagnosis treatment and care to improve health outcomes and quality of life;

(ii)

foster research and innovation leading to more effective treatments and potential cures for epilepsy;

(iii)

strengthen data and information systems including better surveillance of epilepsy;

(iv)

increase public awareness about epilepsy and reduce stigma and discrimination;

(v)

increase access to expert and specialized care for people with epilepsy;

(vi)

eliminate access to care disparities experienced by individuals with epilepsy;

(vii)

prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related mortalities;

(viii)

reduce the financial impact of epilepsy on families living with epilepsy;

(ix)

prevent epilepsy and promote healthy behaviors; and

(x)

an evaluation of the implementation of the National Plan, and its outcomes.

(d)

Annual reports

The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report that includes—

(1)

an evaluation of all federally funded efforts in epilepsy research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, clinical care, and institutional-, home-, and community-based programs, and the outcomes of such efforts;

(2)

recommendations for—

(A)

priority actions based on the most recent assessment submitted by the Secretary under subsection (b) and the recommendations contained in the most recent report of the Advisory Council under subsection (c)(4);

(B)

priority actions to improve all federally funded efforts in epilepsy research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, clinical care, and institutional-, home-, and community-based programs; and

(C)

implementation steps to address priority actions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); and

(3)

a description of the progress made in carrying out the National Plan.

(e)

Data sharing

Agencies both within the Department of Health and Human Services and outside of such Department that have data relating to epilepsy shall share such data with the Secretary as necessary to enable the Secretary to complete the reports described in subsection (d).

(f)

Sunset

This section shall cease to be effective on December 31, 2035.