A Milestone for Our Community: Introducing the HEADACHE Act
By Julienne Verdi
Executive Director, Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy
The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) is thrilled to announce that the Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis, and Care Health Equity Act (HEADACHE Act, H.R. 5536) has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Trahan and Fitzpatrick. This bipartisan legislation is a historic first for our community; the first standalone bill focused on migraine and headache disorders.
The HEADACHE Act would establish a national plan to improve prevention, timely diagnosis, equitable access to care, research coordination, and public awareness. It creates a National Headache Disorders Initiative within the Department of Health and Human Services, supported by an advisory committee that includes clinician and researcher voices alongside patients and advocates and federal agencies. This structure would bring the expertise of the American Headache Society community directly into federal strategy.
AHDA is leading the charge at the federal level, building on years of Headache on the Hill engagement and sustained policy work. With your partnership, we can turn this milestone into measurable progress for patients and clinicians.
We invite AHS members to take two minutes to complete our take action form to contact their elected officials in support of H.R. 5536 and to share this important call to action with colleagues, trainees, and patients.
On September 30th, 240 advocates from across the country, including over 60 AHS members, will be participating in the Fall Virtual Headache on the Hill. Advocates will be meeting with their elected officials' offices in support of both the HEADACHE Act, as well as, the Safe Step Act, which would create an exemption process for step therapy requirements under ERISA plans. View our HOH recap for more information on this year's asks of Congress.
Applications for our 2026 Spring in-person Headache on the Hill will open on October 1st and will take place February 9-10, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Learn more here.
We hope you’ll join us in these important advocacy efforts. Together we’re making headache history!