Committee approves Paul Graves as Harborview board representative for District 9

The Committee of the Whole voted March 25 to advance Paul Graves for appointment as the District 9 representative to the Harborview Medical Center Board of Trustees, forwarding the nomination to the full council on the consent calendar.

Council Central staff summarized Harborview’s role as a level‑1 trauma center that provides specialized care for uninsured and vulnerable populations and noted that the hospital is owned by King County and operated by the University of Washington. Sam Porter said witnesses described Harborview’s duties to serve non‑English speakers, the uninsured, people treated involuntarily for behavioral health issues, incarcerated people and others needing specialized trauma and burn care.

Graves told the committee he previously served in the Washington House of Representatives and worked on health‑care policy, including time as assistant ranking member on the House health care committee. He said he values Harborview's regional role and expressed a focus on protecting services for vulnerable residents. “The priority needs to be the most vulnerable among us,” Graves said in response to a question about potential federal funding changes.

Council Member Dave Upthegrove (mover of the nomination) and others noted the challenges Harborview faces, particularly on behavioral health and regional trauma responsibilities, and urged support for a board that can both ask tough questions and defend the institution. The committee approved the nomination by roll call, recorded as nine ayes and zero noes. The appointment will be transmitted to the next regular council meeting for final confirmation.