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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 11, 2025
National Plan for Epilepsy Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035.
Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments.
Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts.
Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.
People & committees
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Oct 16, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-02-11 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The bill would create a national plan to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy, with federal agencies coordinating research and services. People living with epilepsy, family caregivers, health professionals, researchers, and nonprofit representatives would help advise the plan. It would require public input and regular reviews of federal efforts, with the aim of improving care and supporting people with epilepsy and their caregivers.
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.
(C) coordinate research and services related to epilepsy, across all Federal agencies;
(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.
(G) solicit public comments and consider consensus recommendations from collaborations in the epilepsy community;
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;
(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;
Section 1 would name the legislation the National Plan for Epilepsy Act.
This Act may be cited as the National Plan for Epilepsy Act.
Section 2 presents Congress's proposed findings about epilepsy's health and financial burdens. Among them, it states that epilepsy affects nearly 3 million adults and 456,000 children in the United States, that over 30 percent of people with epilepsy have uncontrolled seizures, and that associated health care costs exceed $54 billion annually. These are statements in the bill's findings, not effects established by the proposed plan.
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.
(5) Over 30 percent of people with epilepsy live with uncontrolled seizures.
(9) Health care costs associated with epilepsy and seizures exceed $54,000,000,000 per year in the United States.
Section 3 would add a new epilepsy program section to the Public Health Service Act. The Secretary would have to establish, maintain, and periodically update the national plan, provide information including an estimate of federal investment, and coordinate epilepsy research and services across federal agencies.
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
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;
The plan would require efforts to encourage safe and effective treatments and other approaches, improve early diagnosis and coordination of care, and review epilepsy's physical, mental, and social effects on patients and caregivers. These are assigned duties and goals, not guarantees of better health outcomes.
(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;
The Secretary would have to seek public comments, consider joint recommendations from the epilepsy community, assess the plan's activities annually, and coordinate with international bodies where possible. The Secretary could also determine other appropriate activities.
(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.
Within two years after enactment, and annually afterward, the Secretary would have to assess the nation's progress in preparing for and responding to epilepsy. Each assessment would recommend priority actions and describe steps already taken or needed to carry them out.
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.
The Secretary would have to establish and maintain an advisory council on epilepsy research, care, and services. Its federal membership would include representatives from the seven listed health, defense, and veterans agencies, with appointments made by the Secretary.
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.
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;
The council's nonfederal membership would include four people with different types of epilepsy, two family caregivers, two qualified health care providers supported by a relevant professional medical society, two researchers with specified epilepsy expertise, and three representatives of separate experienced epilepsy nonprofits. At least one provider would have to be an epilepsy specialist or neurologist.
(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.
The council would meet at least quarterly, and all its meetings would be open to the public. Within two years after enactment, and every two years afterward, it would also convene federal and nonfederal organizations to discuss epilepsy research.
(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.
The council would report to the Secretary and Congress within 18 months after enactment and every two years afterward. Its report would evaluate federally funded epilepsy efforts and their outcomes and recommend ways to coordinate, expand, and support federal programs, research, and data collection.
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;
The council's report would recommend improvements to diagnosis and care, research toward treatments and possible cures, systems for tracking epilepsy, public awareness, access to specialized care, and unequal access to care.
(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;
The council's report would also address preventing epilepsy-related deaths, reducing families' financial burdens, preventing epilepsy, and promoting healthy behaviors. It would include an evaluation of the plan's implementation and outcomes. These reporting requirements would not themselves provide financial assistance or guarantee those results.
(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.
the Advisory Council shall provide to the Secretary and Congress a report containing—
The Secretary would separately report to Congress each year on federally funded epilepsy research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and programs in institutions, homes, and communities. The report would evaluate outcomes, recommend priorities and implementation steps using the latest assessment and council report, and describe progress on the plan.
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.
Agencies inside and outside the Department of Health and Human Services that hold epilepsy-related data would have to share it with the Secretary as needed to complete the Secretary's annual reports.
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).
The new epilepsy program section would stop being effective on December 31, 2035.
(f) Sunset This section shall cease to be effective on December 31, 2035.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated October 16, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 11, 2025. This snapshot does not establish whether the bill later advanced or became law.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-16T08:05:49Z. 2025-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. 2025-02-11: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-02-11. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy change attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to that version; formal earmark status in other versions or accompanying materials is not established.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
None identified in the reviewed text
No materially narrow carve-out, special exemption, or preferential benefit was identified in the complete supplied introduced text under the requested definition. This conclusion is limited to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Oct 16, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI