Summary
Establishes a national plan to better prevent, find, treat, and cure epilepsy by coordinating federal research and services for the condition.
What problem does this solve?
Millions of Americans live with epilepsy, a brain disorder that causes seizures, and its cause is often unknown, leading to high healthcare costs and a greater risk of early death. This bill creates a coordinated national plan and an advisory council to improve research, treatment, and support for people with epilepsy and their families.
Who does this affect?
- People with epilepsy
- Caregivers and families of people with epilepsy
- Medical researchers and healthcare providers
What does this bill do?
Establishes a National Plan for Epilepsy
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create and maintain a national plan to coordinate efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy across all federal agencies.
Creates an advisory council on epilepsy
Forms an advisory council with federal officials, people with epilepsy, caregivers, doctors, and researchers to guide the Secretary on epilepsy-related issues.
Requires regular progress reports to congress
Mandates annual assessments of the nation's progress on epilepsy and requires the Secretary and the Advisory Council to submit regular reports to Congress with recommendations.
Mandates data sharing between federal agencies
Requires all federal agencies with data related to epilepsy to share it with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to help complete required reports and assessments.
Includes a sunset provision
Specifies that the provisions of this act will expire and no longer be in effect after December 31, 2035.
What is the real world impact?
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Improves coordination of epilepsy research and care
Creates a unified national strategy to tackle epilepsy, which affects millions of people and costs billions of dollars each year. This plan aims to speed up progress in finding a cure and better treatments by getting all federal agencies to work together.
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Creates a new government advisory council
Establishes another layer of government oversight through an advisory council and requires multiple reports. Critics might argue this could lead to more bureaucracy without a direct increase in funding for research or patient care.
When does this start?
The plan would begin as soon as the bill is signed into law, but it includes several specific deadlines for reports and meetings.
First advisory council report
The advisory council must submit its first report with evaluations and recommendations to the Secretary and Congress within 18 months of the bill becoming law.
First national progress assessment
The Secretary must complete the first assessment of the nation's progress on epilepsy within 2 years of the bill becoming law, with new assessments every year after.
First expert meeting
The advisory council must hold a meeting with outside experts to discuss epilepsy research within 2 years of the bill becoming law, and every 2 years after that.
Plan expiration date
The entire national plan and all its requirements will end on December 31, 2035, unless new legislation is passed to extend it.