Federal Cuts & Changes: Impacting the Epilepsy Community

Now more than ever, it is critical for the Epilepsy Foundation and entire epilepsy community to SPEAK UP and speak with ONE VOICE to try and protect epilepsy programs and research. On April 14, 2025, 118 epilepsy organizations including many in the Foundation’s network — representing people living with epilepsy; caregivers and loved ones; physicians, care providers, and epilepsy centers; epilepsy researchers; and others—issued a statement, united in opposition to recent actions by the Administration and Congress to cut vital federal epilepsy programs.

This toolkit builds on that statement by offering resources and information to support the Foundation’s network to educate and advocate about recent and looming federal cuts and other changes that are negatively impacting the epilepsy community. It can be used and shared, for instance, with national, affiliate and chapter Boards, Professional Advisory Boards, and community members. A version of the toolkit has also been shared with the broader epilepsy community and partner epilepsy organizations. This toolkit has resources you need to get started, including background on the issues and action steps you can take —whether you only have a few minutes or have a few hours. Actions range from emailing your members of Congress through an action alert (very quick!) to posting on social media (kind of quick!) to requesting and holding meetings with your members of Congress (this will take a while!).

This is a rapidly evolving landscape. The information included here is current as of May 22, 2025, and we will update the toolkit as needed. If you have questions or need further support when making your ask, please contact the Foundation’s Advocacy Team below:

• • Laura Weidner, Chief Advocacy & Government Relations Officer,
    Epilepsy Foundation of America at lweidner@efa.org
  • Roxanne Yaghoubi, Senior Director, Federal Relations and Policy,
    Epilepsy Foundation of America at ryaghoubi@efa.org
  • Britt Dorfman, Senior Manager, Grassroots Engagement and State Policy,
    Epilepsy Foundation of America at bdorfman@efa.org

Check out the Toolkit here.