HEADACHE Act (H.R. 5536)

Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis, and Care Health Equity Act or the HEADACHE Act

This bill temporarily establishes a federal initiative, an advisory council, and related reporting to address headache disorders. The bill defines headache disorder as a medical condition for which a headache is a principal symptom, including primary conditions (e.g., tension-type headaches, migraines) and secondary conditions (i.e., headaches that are symptoms of other health conditions).  

Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish a coordinated federal initiative to take actions that advance research and improve care for headache disorders. 

Also, HHS must establish an advisory council comprised of certain federal and non-federal members to advise HHS on headache disorders and hold annual research meetings. 

Finally, HHS must annually report to Congress on headache disorders, including (1) an annually updated national plan, (2) evaluations of all relevant federally funded efforts, and (3) recommendations for priority actions.

The requirements of the bill sunset five years after the bill’s enactment.