CEDAR FALLS — Health-care issuessuch as potential budget cuts have prompted University of Iowa officials to create the UI Health Care Board of Advisers, officials said.

"The national issues on the health-care front are likely to or could affect the university," said UI President Sally Mason. "It is simply our way of getting more [information] on some of the tough issues."

The state Board of Regents unanimously approved a UI request to establish the Health Care Advisory Board on Thursday.

The board will advise Mason and the UIVice President for Medical Affairs Jean Robillard on performance improvement, policy issues, and planning activities.

"UI Health Care is a highly complex and a diversified organization," Mason said. "[The board] would be the occasional need to have outside eyes."

Mason said the new board would only advise, the regents having the final say.

"The key here is that the structure is already set up to be advisory," said UI spokesman Tom Moore. "The authority to govern the University Hospitals and Clinics still lies with the Board of Regents."

Mason said that on the 13-member board, seven people will be from within the university and six from positions outside the UI.

Regent President Craig Lange appointed Regents Robert Downer and Nicole Carroll to the board.

"Individuals [on the board are] are high, well-known, well-respected, and well thought of," Lange said.

There will be a minimum of five subcommittees focusing on specific elements of UI Health Care including finance and strategy, audit and compliance, quality, safety and service, human resources, and workforce development.

Moore said the advisory board would keep the president fully informed with the changes in health care, and would bring in other angles to help with health-care issues.

Regent Katie Mulholland agreed the new board will be helpful.

"I think this would be a wonderful committee," she said. "Make it really public and open."

Mason said it is common among hospitals similar to the UI’s to have an advisory board.