Congress has now passed an FY 2006 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations spending bill (H.R. 3010) in both the House and Senate. Members of the Labor, HHS, Education subcommittee must work together to iron out differences between the two bills and complete a bill that will not exceed an agreed upon total amount of spending. These negotiations are starting at the staff level and it is expected that the final bill will be completed and signed into law by the President by November 14, 2005.

This conference negotiation is very important for epilepsy as the proposed funding levels for Epilepsy Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are different in the House and Senate versions of the bill. The House bill contains an increase of $440,000 bringing the total spending to $8 million for the Epilepsy Program. The Senate bill does not include this increase.

The Epilepsy Foundation has been working hard to urge the conference negotiators to agree to the House increase in the final bill. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. We have two important messages for you to give to the members of the conference committee. The first is to include the House passed funding level of $8 million for the CDC Epilepsy Program. The second is to oppose any across the board cuts which would further erode programs important to people with epilepsy.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a conferee on the FY 2006 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education appropriations bill, I urge you to include the House-passed funding level of $8 million for the CDC Epilepsy Program.

You should support the CDC Epilepsy Program for the following reasons:

- Funding in this program helps train medical first responders like firemen, EMTs, and police to recognize epilepsy and seizures and to get people having a seizure the proper care immediately;

- Funding in this program trains school nurses about epilepsy and how to help students with epilepsy and seizures;

- Funding in this program supports the "You Are Not Alone" program which assists parents of teenagers with epilepsy to take control of their health care;

- Funding in this program supports an initiative called "Seniors and Seizures" which conducts research, advocacy and education about seniors and the high prevalence of seizures.

All of the programs are critical to helping people with epilepsy live well and be productive in the community. Funding for this important program should be increased.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 03, 2005