Senate Passes GOP-Led National Plan for Epilepsy Act

In a welcome display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday establishing a coordinated national strategy for confronting epilepsy.

S. 494, the National Plan for Epilepsy Act, was introduced by Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive framework for improving epilepsy prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research, and efforts toward finding a cure.

The measure passed by unanimous consent after previously advancing through the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. It now moves to the House for consideration.

Nearly 3 million American adults and more than 450,000 children live with epilepsy, while approximately one in 26 people will develop the neurological disorder during their lifetime.

The condition causes recurring, unprovoked seizures and can significantly increase the risk of premature death, particularly among patients whose seizures remain uncontrolled. Epilepsy-related healthcare costs exceed $54 billion annually.

For Schmitt, co-founder of the Senate Epilepsy Caucus, the issue is deeply personal because his son lives with the condition.

“Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States, and as the father of a child living with the condition, the fight to cure epilepsy is deeply personal to me,” Schmitt said.

“I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to live with epilepsy—and how rewarding it is to see a loved one fight it. The National Plan for Epilepsy will serve as a comprehensive framework to improve the lives of Americans living with epilepsy while providing caretakers and medical professionals with additional resources to treat the condition,” Schmitt added.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a leading cosponsor, emphasized the need for stronger research and more effective coordination.

“Epilepsy affects more than three million Americans, including over 55,000 Minnesotans. More must be done to address the needs of people living with epilepsy and advance medical research into earlier diagnosis and improved treatment. The bipartisan National Plan for Epilepsy will ensure there is a unified approach to improve the health of Americans living with this condition.”

The legislation would require HHS to coordinate epilepsy-related research and services across multiple federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The department would also solicit public input, evaluate national progress annually, and submit yearly recommendations to Congress.

S. 494 would establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services composed of federal specialists, medical professionals, researchers, patients, caregivers, and representatives from nonprofit organizations.

The council would examine federally funded epilepsy initiatives and report its findings to HHS and Congress every two years.

Its priorities would include improving patients’ quality of life, advancing innovative treatments, strengthening health-data systems, raising public awareness, reducing stigma, lowering rates of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy and other epilepsy-related deaths, and expanding access to specialized medical care.

Importantly, the bill’s authority would expire on Dec. 31, 2035. That sunset provision ensures Congress must review the initiative’s effectiveness before allowing the federal framework to continue indefinitely.

The time limit provides an important safeguard against permanent bureaucratic expansion while giving agencies sufficient opportunity to produce measurable results.

Supporters argue that better coordination could accelerate medical breakthroughs, reduce long-term healthcare costs, and help more Americans with epilepsy live independently.

The proposal follows the model of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act but does not establish a new entitlement program or an open-ended federal agency. Instead, it relies on existing institutions, regular reporting requirements, and congressional oversight.

Schmitt acknowledged the scale of the undertaking.

“Putting forward The National Plan for Epilepsy to coordinate a whole-of-government approach and tackle the complex nature of treating and supporting those with epilepsy is no easy feat.”

Epilepsy advocacy organizations celebrated the Senate vote after years of grassroots work. A companion proposal in the House also has bipartisan backing from members of the House Epilepsy Caucus.

If enacted, the National Plan for Epilepsy Act would provide the country with a unified, accountable, and time-limited strategy for addressing one of America’s most widespread but frequently overlooked neurological conditions.