Spam Journalism #63

Spam Journalism: The spurious use of sensational headlines to add spice to an otherwise pointless article.

Why is it that, every time  Tony Ryall says anything about health funding, the effect of the change is either minimised, if positive, or greatly exaggerated, if negative?

Health cuts loom as Govt refocuses spending

District health board chiefs are bracing themselves to make deep cuts to their services next year after receiving Government indications their funding will slip.

Papers for an Auckland District Health Board committee meeting yesterday suggested it might have to cut as much as 5 to 10 per cent from its spending.”

As usual, the DHBs are starting to position themselves for the next round of funding from government. As usual, they make dire pronouncements about the drastic cuts to services they are going to have to make if their funding is reduced. As usual, the media swallows this ploy hook, line and sinker.  Now the real story:

Health Minister Tony Ryall has widely signalled in speeches that because of the recession, the sector – although in line for an increase in next year’s Budget – will receive much less than the $750 million boost it got this year. Health is receiving more than $12 billion this year. [emphasis mine]”

Ryall has said that the boost in funding will not be as big as the $750 million given this year. There is no cut – just less of a boost. It is possible that this boost will be less than inflation meaning a drop in real terms. But as inflation is currently 1.7% this would mean an increase of less than $204 million to be under the rate of inflation. This is possible, but not very likely. And Auckland DHB are planning for $75-150 million less (5-10%). Somewhere there is a very, very large disconnect.

Now the MacDoctor worked out that Auckland DHB were just scaremongering and proved it in less than 5 minutes. Yet the “journalist” in question just repeated the nonsense without thought, preferring to spam. Which is better than many of the left wing blogs who are commenting extensively on this garbage as if it were a solid fact.

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