With Congress scheduled to return to D.C. this week, the next few weeks are critical to get the National Plan for Epilepsy Act passed. If it does not pass this year, then the process will have to start all over again in 2027 with reintroduction of the legislation. Currently, Congress is scheduled to be in session in D.C. for a few more weeks, but they may reduce their workdays and wrap up early for the year.
Please review the National Plan for Epilepsy Toolkit — which walks through how to post on social media, email your members of Congress, and/or hold meetings with your congressional offices about the National Plan.
In coordination with the broader epilepsy community, we are telling Congress that they must work together to pass the National Plan for Epilepsy Act THIS YEAR.
If enacted, this bipartisan bill would direct the federal government to develop a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure the epilepsies and improve the well-being of people with epilepsy and their families. This could have tremendous impact for the 85% of individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) that experience epilepsy.
The National Plan for Epilepsy Act must advance through the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by the President. It is being cosponsored by Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA-21) & Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC-03). The Senate has already passed their version of the bill (S.494, cosponsored by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)) with bipartisan and unanimous support.
Thank you for your incredible advocacy for this critical initiative!
Please contact Katie Smith at ksmith@tscalliance.org if you have any questions.