WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) praised passage of their bipartisan National Plan for Epilepsy Act, through the Committee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create the National Plan for Epilepsy; a national framework geared to examining and improving epilepsy care and therapies across the United States. Ultimately, the Plan aims to prevent and cure 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. 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. I am grateful my colleagues supported this bill in Committee as we continue our efforts to care for those with epilepsy and increase research to prevent and eventually cure this condition,” said Senator Schmitt.
“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,” said Senator Klobuchar.
The National Plan for Epilepsy requires HHS to conduct a comprehensive review on how federal epilepsy-related programs operate and coordinate with each other and provide recommendations on improvements. The bill also requires HHS to engage patients, advocates, and researchers, to promote and increase public awareness of epilepsy.
Statements of Support:
“We are deeply grateful to Senators Schmitt and Klobuchar for their leadership in advancing the National Plan for Epilepsy Act. For too long, epilepsy has lacked the coordinated national strategy needed to improve care, accelerate research, address disparities, and ultimately improve quality of life for those families affected by epilepsy, including my own. Moving this legislation forward brings us one step closer to a future where every person with epilepsy has access to the care, treatments, and support they deserve. We look forward to working with Congress to see this critical legislation enacted into law,” said Scott Copeland, Founder of Epilepsies Action Network and caregiver to an adult son with complex epilepsy.
“The Epilepsy Foundation of America is delighted to see the Senate HELP Committee take this step forward in advancing the National Plan for Epilepsy Act. This legislation is necessary to elevate epilepsy as a national priority and make a meaningful difference for the nearly 3.4 million Americans living with epilepsy and their families. We appreciate Senators Schmitt and Klobuchar’s leadership, the HELP Committee’s dedication, and the epilepsy community standing united in these efforts to improve care, coordinate research, and create hope,” said Bernice “Bee” Martin Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Epilepsy Foundation of America.
“Today’s committee action is an important milestone for the epilepsy community. The American Epilepsy Society is proud to stand alongside people with epilepsy, their families and caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy organizations in supporting a coordinated national strategy to strengthen collaboration, accelerate innovation, and ultimately improve the lives of people with epilepsy,” said Howard P. Goodkin, MD, PhD, FAES – Immediate Past President of the American Epilepsy Society and Chair of the AES Advocacy Committee.