The Power of Advocacy
At The Bee Foundation For Brain Aneurysm Prevention, advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. Raising our voices, educating the public, and pushing for policy change are critical steps in the fight for brain aneurysm prevention. One of our most important advocacy initiatives is the support of Ellie’s Law, a bill that could transform the future of brain aneurysm research and save countless lives.
Ellie’s Law
Ellie’s Law is a bipartisan bill focused on increasing funding for brain aneurysm research, treatment, and prevention, through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the NIH. If passed, this legislation would authorize $100 million over five years for brain aneurysm research. Currently, in the 119th Congress, there are currently 3 Senators and 20 Representatives co-sponsoring Ellie’s Law. We continue to urge you to call your legislators to ask for their support in this life-saving legislation. Visit congress.gov to learn more about the Bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Updates From The Senate
We are thrilled to share a major advocacy milestone: The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Act on a 26-3 vote! Further, the LHHS bill includes our language!
From the Committee Report (pg. 119):
“The Committee remains concerned that an estimated 1 out of every 50 individuals in the United States has a brain aneurysm and an estimated 30,000 Americans suffer a brain aneurysm rupture each year, with little or no warning. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 50 percent of cases. Despite the widespread prevalence of this condition and the high societal cost it imposes on our Nation, the Federal Government only spends approximately $2.08 per year on brain aneurysm research for each person afflicted with a brain aneurysm. The Committee encourages NINDS to increase its support for research focused on prevention and early detection of brain aneurysms.”
Specifically, the Committee emphasizes concerns that research funding levels do not adequately address brain aneurysm prevalence in the United States. This powerful language reflects what we at TBF and our community have been advocating for.
Awaiting Action in the House
While the Senate moves forward in its appropriations process, we are keeping a close eye on the House. Lawmakers are expected to hold a markup of the FY 2026 LHHS Appropriations bill on September 9th. In September, we’ll be on Capitol Hill advocating for Ellie’s Law and meeting with additional House members, including Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-7), Gabe Amo (D-RI-1), Ben Cline (R-VA-6), Hank Johnson (D-GA-4), Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-8), and Mike Thompson (D-CA-4).
Stay tuned for updates, and remember, your voice matters. Advocacy is a team effort, and with your help, we can continue to push for change that saves lives.
Together, we can turn advocacy into action and action into impact.
