August 11, 2026 — Epilepsy Alliance America celebrates the U.S. Senate's unanimous passage of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act (S. 494) on August 4, 2026.  This is historic step toward creating a coordinated national strategy to improve epilepsy care, advance research, reduce epilepsy-related deaths, and enhance quality of life for millions of Americans living with epilepsy.

This progress reflects years of dedicated advocacy from people with epilepsy, family members, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and epilepsy organizations across the country who have worked tirelessly to elevate the needs of the epilepsy community.

On July 22, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved a Manager's Amendment that preserved the bill's core purpose while strengthening its framework. The legislation would require the federal government to review existing epilepsy programs, identify gaps in services and outcomes, and develop recommendations to address unmet needs. The National Plan would focus on research, diagnosis, treatment, awareness, mortality prevention, and quality of life, while ensuring ongoing input from people with lived experience, healthcare providers, researchers, advocates, and federal agencies.

We are grateful to Senators Eric Schmitt and Amy Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy, said Liza Gundell, Board Chair of Epilepsy Alliance America. The Senate's unanimous support demonstrates a growing recognition that epilepsy deserves a coordinated national response. For too many individuals and families, epilepsy brings challenges that extend far beyond seizures, including barriers to care, stigma, financial burdens, and concerns about safety and quality of life. A National Plan for Epilepsy will help ensure that these challenges are addressed through a thoughtful, comprehensive, and collaborative strategy.

The legislation's advancement is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy. Thousands of advocates across the country have shared personal stories, contacted elected officials, participated in meetings, signed support letters, and raised awareness about the urgent need for a national epilepsy strategy.

Epilepsy Alliance America looks forward to continuing its work with congressional champions, including Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-3), to build support and secure passage before the end of the year.

The passage by the Senate of the National Plan for Epilepsy is a great achievement; but our work is not done!, stated Lisa Gallipoli, Executive Director, Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance America is proud to be part of the greater epilepsy community, speaking and acting in one shared voice, about the National Plan for Epilepsy.  We will continue to mobilize our network to ensure that the House of Representatives follows the lead of the Senate before the end of the Congressional term.

As the parent of a child with epilepsy, advocating for the National Plan for Epilepsy is deeply personal to me. I know just how desperately our community needs the investments in comprehensive research, effective treatments, improved access to care, and increased support. It has been a privilege to add my voice to those in the epilepsy community who have pushed for this change for many years. I look forward to continuing to support this work until the plan is enacted into law, and we see its benefits for the millions of Americans living with epilepsy, stated Amanda Mitchell, MPH, Epilepsy Alliance America Board member and member of the National Plan for Epilepsy Committee, which drafted The Epilepsy Community Consensus Priorities earlier this year.

Take Action

Momentum is building, but our work is not finished.

Epilepsy Alliance America encourages everyone in the epilepsy community to contact their U.S. Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support the National Plan for Epilepsy Act.

Take action today: Ask your U.S. Representative to support the National Plan for Epilepsy Act.