§254c–5 Epilepsy; Seizure Disorder

Summary

The Secretary must set up and run programs to track, teach about, research, and help treat epilepsy, especially in children. These programs can be run by the government or by public or nonprofit groups that get grants or contracts. The Secretary can give technical help for planning and operating projects. Work should improve monitoring systems and registries, support research on diagnosis, treatment, and care, run public and professional education (including child-focused programs for parents, schools, and daycares), address stigma and related disabilities in youth, and build partnerships with disability organizations. The Secretary must coordinate with other Public Health Service agencies. The Secretary, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), can give demonstration grants to improve access to seizure-related services and to promote early detection and treatment in medically underserved areas. Grants need an approved application in the form the Secretary requires. Definitions: "epilepsy" — a long-term serious brain condition that causes repeated seizures (the Secretary may change this definition if needed); "medically underserved" — as defined in section 295p(6). Funding was authorized as needed for fiscal years 2001 through 2005.