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Assemblyman James Brennan has served in the New York State Assembly for 18 years. Brennan serves the 44th Assembly District of Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Flatbush, and Crown Heights in Brooklyn. He's probably best known for his six years as Chairman of the Assembly Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse Committee.

Voices: How do you explain the Senate's opposition to Timothy's Law for insurance equality between physical and mental health?

James Brennan: Employers are afraid. Persuasive information has not reached the average business owner. They're swept up in the general concern of [higher] cost. There's no doubt [health care insurance] premiums are increased due to [government] mandates. Health care is rising, with a 12% increase this year. Health care is rising due to greater utilization, inflation, and greater use of technology.

Voices: What do you expect to happen with Timothy's Law?

JB: With continued pressure, some sort of compromise will result. We have a divided government, with different philosophies. To accomplish anything, you need significant compromise. Some people will always be unhappy. Many senators want something passed. I'm optimistic something will be resolved although Governor Pataki might veto it [for having too many benefits]. A main philosophy of his has been cutting costs for business.

Voices: What is your political plan for the future?

JB: Running for re-election this year. If Bill Thompson [the current City Comptroller] runs for Mayor next year, I will run for City Comptroller. I think I have suitable skills. I'm a watchdog and a legislative advocate. Policy and audits go together. I'm a bread-and-butter guy—jobs, health care, housing. I care a lot about homeless people.

Voices: Are we heading in the right direction with Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) planned by the State to start next year?

JB: [Funding from] Community Reinvestment, based on [savings from] bed reductions [at state hospitals], has run its course. We're down to 4,000 beds. I think that's too few. It was a great victory, but now we must look beyond. The State has to use Medicaid and the general fund. We have to own up to paying. It's not a matter of just emptying hospitals. It's housing, clinics, rehab, jobs; they're all expensive. You can't "Medicaid" everything. You need to prevent providers from going out of business. We need wraparound money for non-Medicaid recipients. The legislature should address this after the first year of the PROS program [when the state's subsidies of providers run out].

Voices: What was your greatest accomplishment as chairman of the Assembly Mental Health Committee?

JB: Blocking Pataki's proposed cutbacks [in his first years]. In 1998, we passed $45 million and in 1999 $50 million for new housing and supported services with a 50% match from New York City (New York, New York I and II). We added another 5,000 units for supportive and scattered site housing. The Work and Wellness Act (Medicaid Buy-In) was another accomplishment. Even with Kendra's Law, we were able to negotiate a package of services as a tool of last resort. Governor Pataki recognized the need with a major budget allocation. When the economy was favorable, he put in another $200 million for housing, clinics, case management, and rehab.

Voices: How did you get involved with mental health?

JB: It was purely coincidental. The chairmanship was open and I had seniority. I had always been interested in community issues like affordable housing, homelessness, poverty, and supported community residences in my district.

Voices: What's your prognosis for the consumer mental health movement?

JB: This is an extremely important moment. Consumers are taking the leadership. Recovery is a very important symbol. It's the best way of fighting stigma. Consumers are now broadly respected by such groups as NAMI, MHA, providers, clinicians. Consumers represent the broad mass. The issue of parity is here to stay. We'll get a law sooner or later.