S. 494 – National Plan for Epilepsy Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:49 AM UTC

The National Plan for Epilepsy Act creates a coordinated federal strategy to improve research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and potential cures for epilepsy. It tasks the HHS Secretary with developing an integrated plan, conducting regular assessments, and sharing data across agencies. An advisory council with federal officials and diverse epilepsy stakeholders will guide the effort, meet quarterly, and provide periodic reports to Congress. The act aims to enhance care, reduce the disease’s health and financial burdens, and ends in 2035.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create and maintain a coordinated National Plan for Epilepsy that covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure efforts.
The plan requires the Secretary to update the plan regularly, estimate federal spending, coordinate research across agencies, promote new treatments, improve early diagnosis and care coordination, and assess the disease’s impact on patients and caregivers.
An annual assessment of the nation’s progress on epilepsy must be conducted, with recommendations for priority actions.
An Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services is to be formed, including federal agency representatives and a diverse group of patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and nonprofit leaders; it must meet quarterly, hold public meetings, and report to the Secretary and Congress every two years with evaluations and recommendations.
The Secretary must submit yearly reports to Congress summarizing federal epilepsy efforts, progress on the National Plan, and steps to implement priority actions.
All relevant federal agencies must share epilepsy data with the Secretary to support reporting.
The program expires on December 31, 2035.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

August 10, 2026 • 11:10 AM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 10, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

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

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

February 10, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 22, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 28, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 526.

July 28, 2026

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4426-4427; text: CR S4426-4427)

August 4, 2026

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

August 10, 2026

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

August 10, 2026 • 11:02 AM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

August 10, 2026 • 11:10 AM

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 494 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. John ThuneR-SD · Aug 4, 2026

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 526, S. 494. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported…

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued August 4, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 494

AN ACT

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

1.

Short title

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

2.

Review to improve epilepsy programs, research, prevention, and care

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall review and, as necessary and appropriate, provide recommendations to Congress regarding, and update existing Federal programs, activities, and strategic plans related to, epilepsy research, prevention, early identification, diagnosis, and treatment for purposes of identifying and addressing knowledge gaps and improving health outcomes related to epilepsy.

(b)

Content

The review under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a review of findings from evidence-based research on epilepsy, the status of ongoing, federally-funded research on epilepsy, knowledge gaps related to epilepsy, and disparities in populations with epilepsy;

(2)

a review of Federal programs related to epilepsy research, prevention, early identification, diagnosis, and treatment, which shall include consideration of—

(A)

gaps in, and opportunities for, coordination among such programs;

(B)

opportunities to inform global efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy, as appropriate;

(C)

near- and long-term goals of such programs to improve research, prevention, early identification, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy; and

(D)

the level of Federal investment in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy;

(3)

consideration of opportunities to—

(A)

improve collaboration between Federal agencies and relevant stakeholders to address gaps in programs, research, and services;

(B)

eliminate knowledge gaps in research on epilepsy, including a review of the impact of epilepsy on the health and well-being of individuals with epilepsy and their caregivers;

(C)

improve early diagnosis and coordination of the care and treatment of individuals with epilepsy;

(D)

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

(E)

improve surveillance of epilepsy; and

(F)

support the development of new 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; and

(4)

a review of current public health strategies, and consideration of additional evidence-based strategies, related to epilepsy.

(c)

External input

To inform the review under subsection (a), the Secretary shall regularly convene and solicit input from other Federal agencies, as appropriate, and relevant stakeholders, including patient advocates and non-Federal subject matter experts.

(d)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a), including—

(1)

a description of steps the Secretary took to solicit stakeholder input pursuant to subsection (c) and a summary of feedback received from, and needs identified by, such stakeholders;

(2)

recommendations to improve coordination and support of Federal programs in order to better support people with epilepsy, epilepsy research, and data collection, and proposals for implementation of such recommendations, as appropriate; and

(3)

any changes to Federal programs, activities, or strategic plans recommended by the Secretary based on the review, and any statutory or other barriers that impede implementation of such changes.

Passed the Senate August 4, 2026.

Secretary