Contact Congress about S. 494: National Plan for Epilepsy Act

The bill would make the federal government create one shared plan for epilepsy. It would bring agencies, patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and nonprofits into the process. Congress would get regular reports through 2035.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

National Plan for Epilepsy Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Latest action on S. 494: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people with epilepsy and the families or caregivers who support them. It could shape federal work on diagnosis, treatment, care access, research, and public awareness. It also affects federal health agencies, veterans and service members, doctors, researchers, and epilepsy nonprofit groups because they would help guide or carry out the plan.

Why this matters: Epilepsy can disrupt work, school, driving, independence, family life, and health costs. Many people still have seizures that are not well controlled. This bill tries to make federal epilepsy work more organized and easier to track. It could point attention toward care gaps, research needs, unfair differences in access, and epilepsy-related deaths, but the results would depend on how the plan is carried out.

Key provisions in S. 494

• Creates a National Plan for Epilepsy. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would lead federal work on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy.
• Requires the Secretary to estimate total federal spending on epilepsy work. That includes prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure-related activities.
• Tells the Secretary to coordinate epilepsy research and services across the federal government. When possible, the Secretary would also work with international epilepsy groups.
• Requires a yearly check on national progress in reducing the burden of epilepsy. That review must start no later than two years after the bill becomes law.
• Creates an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. It would include the National Institutes of Health, Medicare and Medicaid agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and outside experts such as patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and nonprofits.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 494

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 494

What is S. 494?

The bill would make the federal government create one shared plan for epilepsy. It would bring agencies, patients, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and nonprofits into the process. Congress would get regular reports through 2035.

How do I support or oppose S. 494?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 494?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 494 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.