(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed Ashley Koopmans to the Iowa Employment Appeal Board, John Hodges as the Chair of the Iowa Board of Parole and Dr. Mark Graber to the Medical Assistance Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee.
Koopmans` term on the Iowa Employment Appeal Board begins Friday, May 23, 2014, and ends April 30, 2016. Koopmans, who resides in Des Moines, Iowa, is appointed as the employee representative.
The three-member Employment Appeal Board is appointed by the Governor and serves as the final administrative law forum for state and federal unemployment benefit appeals. The Board also hears appeals of rulings of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and rulings of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). The three members of the Board are appointed to represent employers, employees and the general public.
In addition to unemployment cases, the Board hears appeals involving peace officer issues and contractor registration requirements. The Board receives 96 percent of its funding from the federal government based on the number of appeals heard and the time taken to render a decision.
Koopmans` appointment is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.
John Hodges, of Bondurant, Iowa, previously served as Vice Chair of the Board of Parole. His term as Chairman begins today, May 19, 2014, and runs until April 30, 2018. The position is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.
The Iowa Board of Parole works to enhance overall public safety by making evidence-based and informed parole decisions for the successful re-entry of offenders back into the community to become productive and responsible citizens. The Iowa Board of Parole is established by Iowa Code Chapter 904A and consists of five members, including a Chairperson.
Dr. Mark Graber, a resident of Solon, Iowa, began his term on the Medical Assistance Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee on May 14, 2014. The appointment is not subject to Senate Confirmation.
The Medical Assistance Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee provides ongoing maintenance of the preferred drug list and recommended drug list to the department. The committee develops the preferred drug list and recommended drug list by considering each drug's clinically meaningful therapeutic advantages in terms of safety, effectiveness and clinical outcome. The committee uses evidence-based research in determining the status of drugs on the preferred drug list and recommended drug list.
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