S. 494: National Plan for Epilepsy Act
Sponsor
Eric Schmitt
Republican · MO
Epilepsy families deserve a real federal plan
Why it matters
2 years — that's how long HHS would have to tell Congress what is missing in epilepsy research, diagnosis, care coordination, surveillance, and death prevention, and how federal programs should change.
S. 494 would require HHS to deliver a national epilepsy review and recommendations to Congress within 2 years.
The bill does not create a new benefit, new treatment, or a new pot of money. Instead, it orders a government-wide review of how federal programs handle epilepsy — from research and early diagnosis to treatment, surveillance, and quality of life.
That review has to look at what research already shows, what federally funded research is underway, where the knowledge gaps are, and which populations face disparities. It also has to examine how well federal programs coordinate with each other, what the government is already investing, and where better collaboration could help.
The bill makes prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP, an explicit federal priority in that review — not a side issue.
HHS would also have to gather outside input on a regular basis from patient advocates, experts, and other federal agencies. The final report must summarize that feedback, recommend changes to programs or strategic plans, and spell out any legal or logistical barriers standing in the way.
In practical terms, S. 494 is a pressure bill: it makes HHS put its epilepsy strategy, gaps, and next steps on the record for Congress and the public.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Aug 10, 2026
Passed the Senate, received in House
S. 494 Bill Summary
What S. 494 actually does.
HHS has 2 years to produce a national epilepsy review
S. 494 gives the Department of Health and Human Services 2 years after enactment to review federal epilepsy efforts and send findings and recommendations to Congress.
Federal epilepsy gaps have to be spelled out
The review must cover research findings, ongoing federally funded work, knowledge gaps, disparities among people with epilepsy, and current public health strategies.
Care coordination and early diagnosis get direct attention
HHS must consider how federal efforts could improve earlier diagnosis and better coordination of care and treatment for people with epilepsy.
SUDEP prevention must be part of the plan
The bill specifically requires HHS to consider ways to better prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related deaths.
Patients and outside experts must be heard
HHS would have to regularly gather input from patient advocates, non-federal subject matter experts, and other federal agencies while preparing the review.
Congress gets recommended fixes, not just a status update
The final report must include proposed changes to federal programs or strategic plans, implementation ideas, and any barriers that could block those changes.
Who benefits from S. 494?
People living with epilepsy
If federal gaps in diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and care coordination are addressed, they could see better-targeted national policy and stronger support from existing programs.
Families and caregivers
The bill specifically tells HHS to examine how epilepsy affects caregivers, which could elevate needs that are often treated as secondary in federal planning.
Patient advocates and epilepsy experts
S. 494 gives them a formal seat in the process by requiring HHS to regularly solicit outside input while building its recommendations.
Researchers and public health officials
A full review of research gaps, disparities, surveillance, and federal investment could help shape future priorities and make it easier to argue for targeted policy changes.
Who is affected by S. 494?
Department of Health and Human Services
HHS would have to lead the review, gather outside input, coordinate with other agencies, and deliver a report to Congress within 2 years.
Other federal health agencies
Agencies involved in epilepsy research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or data collection would likely be pulled into a broader review of how their work fits together.
Congress
Lawmakers would receive a formal roadmap of recommended changes and any barriers that HHS says are preventing better epilepsy policy.
People waiting for direct funding or new services
They would not get immediate new benefits from S. 494 alone, because the bill requires a review and recommendations rather than creating a grant program or coverage expansion.
S494 Legislative Journey
House: Action Taken
Aug 10, 2026
Held at the desk.
Passed 4426-4427
Aug 4, 2026
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4426-4427; text: CR S4426-4427)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Jul 28, 2026
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Passed Committee
Jul 22, 2026
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Feb 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
About the Sponsor
Eric Schmitt
Republican, MO · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Joint Economic Committee, Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (27)
This bill has 27 cosponsors: 19 Democrats, 8 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 21 states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, and 18 more.
Amy Klobuchar
Democrat · MN
John Boozman
Republican · AR
Maggie Hassan
Democrat · NH
Jon Husted
Republican · OH
Edward Markey
Democrat · MA
Cory Booker
Democrat · NJ
Joni Ernst
Republican · IA
Alex Padilla
Democrat · CA
Shelley Capito
Republican · WV
Jeanne Shaheen
Democrat · NH
Christopher Coons
Democrat · DE
Raphael Warnock
Democrat · GA
Committee Sponsors
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
8 of 23 committee members cosponsored
9 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
S. 494 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Feb 10, 2025
Passed the Senate, received in House
Aug 10, 2026
Official Sources
The official Congress.gov page provides the bill text, status, sponsors, and legislative actions for S. 494.
The bill assigns the Secretary of Health and Human Services to lead the epilepsy review and submit the final report to Congress.
CDC's epilepsy program is directly relevant to the bill's focus on public health strategies, surveillance, diagnosis, and quality-of-life issues.
The bill explicitly requires HHS to consider better prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related mortalities.
S. 494 Common Questions
What would S. 494 actually do?
It would require HHS to review federal epilepsy research, care, prevention, and data efforts, then send Congress a report with recommended changes within 2 years.
Does S. 494 create new epilepsy funding or benefits?
No. S. 494 does not create a new grant program, treatment benefit, or direct payment. It requires a federal review and recommendations.
How fast would HHS have to act under S. 494?
HHS would have 2 years after enactment to submit its epilepsy review and recommendations to Congress.
Does the bill address SUDEP?
Yes. S. 494 specifically tells HHS to consider how to better prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and other epilepsy-related deaths.
Would patients and caregivers get a voice in the review?
Yes. The bill requires HHS to regularly gather input from patient advocates and outside experts, and it also says the review should examine impacts on caregivers.
Does S. 494 cover early diagnosis and care coordination?
Yes. The review must consider ways to improve early diagnosis and coordination of care and treatment for people with epilepsy.
Would the bill look at how much the federal government already spends on epilepsy?
Yes. S. 494 requires HHS to review the current level of federal investment in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing epilepsy.
Could S. 494 lead to bigger policy changes later?
Potentially, yes. The bill itself is a planning measure, but the final report must recommend program or strategy changes and identify barriers Congress may need to fix.
Based on S. 494 bill text
S. 494 Bill Text
“To establish a national plan to coordinate research on epilepsy, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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