Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 374

August 29, 2024

McDonald: Aiyuk needed the 49ers more than they needed him

The 49ers’ 2024 crisis period has ended, or will end if and when Trent Williams is aboard for their Week 1 Monday night game against the New York Jets.

Based on the level of outrage over Brandon Aiyuk’s protracted “hold-in” you’d think it was some sort of premeditated sabotage against the 49ers. In reality, although it was weird, Aiyuk wasn’t out as long as Nick Bosa was a year ago under similar circumstances.

But in the end, the reality was the 49ers needed Bosa more than Bosa needed them. And Aiyuk needed the 49ers more than the 49ers needed Aiyuk. Bosa didn’t agree to terms until Sept. 6, four days before their road opener against Pittsburgh.

We’ll wait and see if Aiyuk gets off to a slow start as Bosa did.

Bosa, however, was coming from more of a position of strength. There are a lot fewer Nick Bosas on the football landscape than there are Brandon Aiyuks. And while Aiyuk eventually got paid with a reported four-year, $120 million extension, he had to realize at some point the 49ers were ready to move on without him if for no other reason than they could.

The 49ers are better with Aiyuk, no question. But the hard truth is the 49ers had to swallow hard to pay Aiyuk as they did because he’s not as valuable to them in a contractual sense as he would be to another team.

While Aiyuk was seriously considering playing elsewhere, he gets to stay in his comfort zone and make a lot more money while facing a lot less pressure.

Anywhere else, Aiyuk would be working with a less stable situation — whether it be Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington or New England.

Opposing defenses would be zeroing in on Aiyuk in a way that can’t happen with the 49ers because coach Kyle Shanahan has more options at his disposal.

If Aiyuk had left, a good portion of the fan base and media would have thrown up their hands in frustration at the mismanagement of general manager John Lynch, negotiator Paraag Marathe and Shanahan.

Yet the very reason the 49ers could take a hard line is that Aiyuk, as good as is, is down the pecking order of importance even if the inflated wide receiver market has driven up his price tag.

Aiyuk caught 79 passes for 1,342 yards, averaged 17.9 yards per catch and scored seven touchdowns in 2023. The 49ers had no single replacement to equal those numbers but had a coach in Shanahan who could have made the necessary adjustments to keep them one of the NFL’s top offenses.

There’s only one coach in Shanahan’s league in terms of play design and execution, and it’s worth remembering how the Chiefs’ Andy Reid recovered from the supposedly disastrous decision to trade an instant-strike receiver when Tyreek HIll wanted more than Kansas City would pay.

Hill went to Miami and got paid. The Chiefs won anyway. With Hill, the Chiefs won a Super Bowl and lost one. Without him, they won two in a row.

And while Brock Purdy is no Patrick Mahomes, neither is Aiyuk the equal of Hill.

Among the adjustments Shanahan was pondering:

— Increasing the use of Deebo Samuel, who in his new uniform No. 1 has been a camp standout since Day 1.

— Using Christian McCaffrey more as a receiver. McCaffrey caught 67 passes for 564 yards last season and rushed for 1,459 on 272 carries. Throw it to him 90 times and he’ll approach 1,000 yards. Shanahan has said he would like to use McCaffrey a little less between the tackles. Cut his carries to the 200-to-210 range and increase the use of Jordan Mason inside.

McCaffrey, who had 2,023 yards from scrimmage last year, could still be in that neighborhood with a 1,000-1,000 season.

— Throwing more passes to Jauan Jennings, whose numbers (79 receptions, 963 yards, seven touchdowns in three seasons) aren’t a true measure of his value as evidenced by a $10.5 million guarantee on a contract extension in his restricted free agent year.

— Get something from first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall Jr. approximating Aiyuk’s rookie year in 2020. That’s 60 receptions, 748 yards and five touchdowns. Pearsall’s apparently recurring shoulder injury makes this a problem, but there’s also fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.

Aiyuk is very good, but he’s not Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals, who will cash in next year, or CeeDee Lamb, who reset the market Tuesday at an average of $38 million per year.

If you were to rank the players the 49ers could least afford to lose going into the season, six names come to mind before Aiyuk:

Purdy

Without Purdy being at least as good as he was last season — and he probably needs to be better — the 49ers have no shot at a championship. It all flows from Purdy.

McCaffrey

Let’s not overthink this. He has played 33 games with the 49ers including the postseason and has scored 39 touchdowns.

Williams

He’s headed to the Hall of Fame, probably on the first ballot, five years after he retires. He has shown no signs of slippage at age 36. If he isn’t signed and in the lineup Week 1, it’s a much bigger deal than losing Aiyuk would have been. It’s easy to see Williams’ side of this, especially after the 49ers made things right with McCaffrey after performing at an elite level.

Bosa

With a full offseason and training camp, Bosa will be expected to contend for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award he won after the 2022 season.

Fred Warner

Maybe a tad shy of a Patrick Willis level of performance, but not by much. In terms of defensive leadership, he’s the 49ers’ Ronnie Lott.

George Kittle

The only thing he loves more than the camera is his family, playing football, studying football and training to play football. He is a leader in every respect who has been with Shanahan and G.M. John Lynch since Year 1.

Where is Aiyuk in the pecking order? Probably something approximating a dead heat with Deebo Samuel at No. 6, with cornerback Charvarius Ward not far behind.

Aiyuk got paid and is still around, even if the 49ers would have survived and possibly still thrived without him.

As for the “distraction” factor, that’s more of a fans and media thing. Having lived through the Raiders’ training camp with Antonio Brown, the Aiyuk hold-in was small potatoes.

And now it’s over and everyone can move on to gnashing their teeth over the Williams holdout, and then the Purdy extension looming in 2025.

The only thing more annoying than having to pay so many good players top dollar is not having them at all.

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Published on August 29, 2024 16:23

49ers WR Aiyuk agrees to massive extension, solidifying Super Bowl hopes

SANTA CLARA — Bring on Brandon Aiyuk.

After sitting out training camp practices and the preseason, after requesting and rebuffing trade proposals, after stoically observing from the sidelines, Aiyuk is ready to join the 49ers’ on-field preparation that ideally will yield their first Lombardi Trophy in 30 years.

Three hours after they practiced yet again without him, the 49ers reached a four-year, $120 million extension with Aiyuk, a league source confirmed. NFL Network first reported the deal, which includes a $76 million guaranteed.

Aiyuk’s months-long angst is over after social media outcries, a seemingly soft trade request, and an extended “hold-in” at camp. Those are not factors as to what got him a contract extension from the 49ers.

The booming market made time and pay grades for Aiyuk’s place. Yet it was his on-field excellence that got the 49ers’ star wide receiver a much-deserved raise.

Teammates hoped for such a resolution with the Sept. 9 regular-season opener approaching, although the 49ers still have to settle left tackle Trent Williams’ contract holdout.

On Wednesday, general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan hoped Aiyuk would begin practicing as they revealed he’d been medically cleared, after citing back and neck issues kept him off the field amid his training camp “hold-in.”

“John and Kyle and the owners know what they’re doing, so hopefully they get it resolved soon and we can get this season pushing to have a great year,” cornerback Charvarius Ward said Thursday, roughly three hours before news broke of Aiyuk’s deal.

After an up-and-down start to his career as a 2020 first-round draft pick, Aiyuk led the 49ers with 1,015 yards and 1,342 yards the past two seasons, respectively. The 49ers hadn’t seen back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons from a receiver since Anquan Boldin (2013-14). Prior to that, Jerry Rice crested the 1,000-yard mark in 11 straight years (1986-96) and Terrell Owens hit it over each of his final four seasons with the 49ers (2000-03).

Now Aiyuk gets his shot this year at joining Rice and Owens as the only receivers in 49ers history with three straight 1,000-yard seasons.

The 49ers’ biggest personnel drama this offseason, at least publicly, had been Aiyuk’s status, even if an extension was the most logical route rather than trading him or coercing him to play under his fifth-year option. He was otherwise set to play out the final year of his rookie contract for $14.1 million.

“At some point you have to play,” Lynch said Wednesday without getting into specifics about the extensive contract talks.

So, no hard feelings after a tumultuous time away from the team?

“It’s just football, right? As soon as they walk in the doors, it doesn’t matter what everyone is getting paid,” center Jake Brendel said. “We’re all football players. We’re all here to get one thing done, and that’s win games. Within the building, everyone is still on the same page as we were for however many years we’ve been here. We just want exactly what we did last season, but with just one more win.”

A week before training camp, Aiyuk’s camp went public with a trade request. Aiyuk reported to Santa Clara with his teammates but did not practice on Day 1 of training camp. Fellow offensive star Trent Williams, the 49ers’ blindside protector and offensive line anchor, did not report to camp, beginning a holdout. With Aiyuk’s deal done, the 49ers now will turn to the 36-year-old Williams, whose agent has been having under-the-radar talks with the club throughout the offseason.

Aiyuk’s standoff began as he did not attend the 49ers’ seven-week voluntary offseason program nor their mandatory minicamp in early June. He posted several cryptic posts on social media throughout the offseason, insinuating that the 49ers were not going to pay his asking price. In mid-June, he shared video of a FaceTime call (with close friend and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels) in which he presumably said of the 49ers: “They said they don’t want me back. … I swear.”

The 49ers’ brass insisted all offseason it wants to retain Aiyuk. Lynch, entering his eighth year as general manager, said during the NFL Draft in late April that they did not entertain any trade offers for Aiyuk or fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Two weeks before the draft, Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams, squashed an online rumor that Aiyuk had officially requested a trade; three months later, such a request went public. Aiyuk reportedly rebuffed potential trades to New England and Cleveland, and although one was on the table to Pittsburgh, he’s staying put.

Aiyuk thus joins an annual parade of homegrown stars who’ve been rewarded beyond their initial contracts, a club that includes tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive end Nick Bosa.

A slew of NFL wide receivers also scored extensions this offseason, topped by the historic pact Justin Jefferson signed with the Minnesota Vikings (four years, $140 million; $110 million guaranteed). Jefferson’s $35 million average per year surpassed Bosa by $1 million for the NFL’s highest among non-quarterbacks. Dallas’ recent deal with CeeDee Lamb also put him in that stratosphere ($34 million annually).

The NFL’s next highest-paid wide receivers: A.J. Brown (Eagles, $32 million annually), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions, $30 million), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins, $30 million annually), Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins; $28.3 million), Davante Adams (Raiders, $28 million), and, D.J. Moore (Bears, $27 million) and Cooper Kupp (Rams, $26.7 million).

The 49ers previously invested in their receiver corps this offseason by drafting Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick, and by extending Jauan Jennings to two-year, $15.4 million extension during May’s organized team activities.

As quarterback Brock Purdy enters his second full season as the 49ers’ starter, he’s grateful he can continue to build chemistry with Aiyuk. Purdy becomes eligible next year for an extension that could approach $50 million annually, making him the highest-paid quarterback in the 49ers’ QB-rich history. “What he’s done for me, giving me an opportunity to come in and throw him the ball, I’ll always be thankful for that,” Purdy said earlier this summer about Aiyuk.

Two days after losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, Purdy expressed regrets over not throwing more to Aiyuk, who had just three receptions for 49 yards on six targets. Aiyuk broke open across the goal line on Purdy’s final pass of overtime, which fell incomplete toward Jauan Jennings once Chiefs defender Chris Jones hurried Purdy.

Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged this offseason that having top-notch targets is key to Purdy’s success, stating: “It starts there with Brandon. It’s real big for Brock and his future, to make sure we have a good group for him going forward.”

Aiyuk posted multiple social media messages after the season questioning whether the 49ers would put their money where their mouths were in terms of committing to him.

When he and his teammates packed up from the 2023 season two days after the Super Bowl, Aiyuk was visibly distraught, saying he’d want to stay with the 49ers “if that’s the right move, yeah.” He then noted that “a championship” would be the driving allure.

Aiyuk has only one touchdown in nine career playoff games, but that lone score helped spark the 49ers’ comeback in the NFC Championship Game over the Detroit Lions in January, coming three snaps after he miraculously hauled in a 51-yard pass from Purdy that ricocheted off a Lions defender near the goal line.

Samuel is making $23.9 million annually as part of the deal (three years, $71.1 million) he signed in 2022 after a failed trade request and a brief camp holdout. Samuel is due a $21 million salary next season, with a $28.6 million charge on the salary cap.

Aiyuk has appeared in 62 of 67 games since 2000. He missed four during his rookie season (two on the COVID list; the season’s opener and finales because of hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively). The only game he has missed since then was last season’s home-opening win over the Giants due to a shoulder injury.

The only healthy game he hasn’t started in the past three years was the 2021 season opener at Detroit, symbolizing Aiyuk’s place in Shanahan’s doghouse until a bye-week chat that struck a chord and got Aiyuk’s career back on track. Last December, Shanahan scoffed at that storyline and offered this rebuttal:

“It was just tied to just consistency of the game. I can’t believe how long that stuck because every three weeks I got to talk about how far he’s come since then, which I think is kind of an insult to him. So that’s why I don’t like always getting it repeated,” Shanahan said of the 2021 doghouse tag. “… I think he came to camp a little off and that’s what happened. I think he corrected that about halfway through the second game. So, it’s been really good since then.”

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Published on August 29, 2024 16:08

49ers WR Aiyuk agrees to massive extension, solidifying Super Bowl hopes

SANTA CLARA — Bring on Brandon Aiyuk.

Three hours after they practiced yet again without him, the 49ers reached a four-year, $120 million extension with Aiyuk on Thursday, a league source confirmed. NFL Network first reported the deal, which includes $76 million guaranteed.

Aiyuk’s months-long angst is over after social media outcries, a seemingly soft trade request, and an extended “hold-in” at camp. Those are not major factors that earned him a contract extension from the 49ers.

The booming market made time and pay grades for Aiyuk’s place. Yet it was his on-field excellence that got the 49ers’ star wide receiver a much-deserved raise.

Teammates hoped for such a resolution with the Sept. 9 regular-season opener approaching, although the 49ers still have to settle left tackle Trent Williams’ contract holdout.

“John and Kyle and the owners know what they’re doing, so hopefully they get it resolved soon and we can get this season pushing to have a great year,” cornerback Charvarius Ward said roughly three hours before news broke of Aiyuk’s deal.

Now Aiyuk gets his shot this year at joining Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens as the only receivers in 49ers history with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, though Rice’s run was 11 years and Owens’ four.

The 49ers’ biggest personnel drama this offseason, at least publicly, was Aiyuk’s status. Prior to the extension, he was set to play out the final year of his rookie contract for $14.1 million.

“At some point, you have to play,” Lynch said Wednesday without getting into specifics about the extensive contract talks.

Aiyuk accepted the same deal the 49ers offered two weeks ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, though Aiyuk’s agent Ryan Williams disputed that notion. In late July, the 49ers were offering over $27 million annually, and now Aiyuk will receive $47 million before April 1, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

So, no hard feelings after a tumultuous time away from the team?

“As soon as they walk in the doors, it doesn’t matter what everyone is getting paid,” center Jake Brendel said. “We’re all football players. We’re all here to get one thing done, and that’s win games. Within the building, everyone is still on the same page as we were for however many years we’ve been here. We just want exactly what we did last season, but with just one more win.”

A week before training camp, Aiyuk’s camp went public with a trade request. Aiyuk reported to Santa Clara with his teammates but did not practice on Day 1 of training camp. With Aiyuk’s deal done, the 49ers now will turn to the 36-year-old Williams, whose agent has been having under-the-radar talks with the club.

Aiyuk’s standoff began as he did not attend the 49ers’ seven-week voluntary offseason program nor their mandatory minicamp in early June. He made several cryptic posts on social media throughout the offseason, insinuating that the 49ers were not going to pay his asking price. In mid-June, he shared video of a FaceTime call (with close friend and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels) in which he presumably said of the 49ers: “They said they don’t want me back. … I swear.”

Two weeks before the draft, Aiyuk’s agent, Williams, squashed an online rumor that Aiyuk had officially requested a trade; three months later, such a request went public. Aiyuk reportedly rebuffed potential trades to New England and Cleveland, and although one was on the table to Pittsburgh, he’s staying put.

Aiyuk thus joins an annual parade of homegrown stars who’ve been rewarded beyond their initial contracts, a club that includes Samuel, tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, and defensive end Nick Bosa.

The 49ers previously invested in their receiver corps this offseason by drafting Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick and extending Jauan Jennings to a two-year, $15.4 million extension during May’s organized team activities.

Two days after losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime, Purdy expressed regret over not throwing more to Aiyuk, who had just three receptions for 49 yards on six targets. Aiyuk broke open across the goal line on Purdy’s final pass of overtime, which fell incomplete toward Jennings once Chiefs defender Chris Jones hurried Purdy.

Shanahan acknowledged this offseason that having top-notch targets is key to Purdy’s success, stating: “It starts there with Brandon. It’s real big for Brock and his future, to make sure we have a good group for him going forward.”

When Aiyuk and his teammates packed up from the 2023 season two days after the Super Bowl, the receiver was visibly distraught, saying he’d want to stay with the 49ers “if that’s the right move, yeah.” He then noted that “a championship” would be the driving allure.

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Published on August 29, 2024 15:49

Ward: 49ers ‘know what they’re doing’ to settle Aiyuk, Williams disputes soon

SANTA CLARA — Red and white 49ers T-shirts hung like normal inside Brandon Aiyuk’s locker. Three colorful ballcaps rested above on shelves, none of which represented the Pittsburgh Pirates or any other city he’s been linked to as a potential trade destination.

Aiyuk, however, was nowhere to be seen Thursday when the media was allowed entry, the first post-practice access since he and his teammates reported a month ago for training camp. He has remained out of sight and out of practice, even though the 49ers’ brass revealed Wednesday he is physically cleared — and essentially ordered — to get back on the field.

(UPDATE: Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal later Thursday afternoon, a source confirmed)

Left tackle Trent Williams also remains absent, and while teammates still express sympathy over those contract disputes, it’s hard to ignore the emotional and on-field toll being taken ahead of the Sept. 9 regular-season opener.

“They bring a lot of energy, a lot of juice, a lot of talent,” cornerback Charvarius Ward said. “Everybody knows Trent was a captain, a Hall of Famer, a big dog of the team, and damn near everybody is scared of him.”

Defensive end Leonard Floyd acknowledged as much, reminding reporters he faced Williams multiple times with the 2020-22 Rams. Floyd is looking forward to their future practice-field battles, but he’s not one to speak on other teammates’ business.

“My vibe is I live in my world, so I just focus on me, and my job, and making sure I please my position coach,” Floyd said. “I’ve got enough stress with that. I can’t really think about other stuff.”

Ward views the 49ers’ contract battles with Aiyuk and Williams as simply next in a procession after Deebo Samuel’s in 2022 and Nick Bosa’s last year. “We definitely want to have those guys here, and I know they feel like they’re deserving of something more,” Ward said. “John and Kyle and the owners know what they’re doing, so hopefully they get it resolved soon and we can get this season pushing to have a great year.”

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel sat at his locker and declined to comment until next week, but another offensive starter spoke up with a calming tone. Center Jake Brendel vouched wanting Aiyuk and Williams back, “but it’s got to make sense for both of them,” Brendel said.

“Within the building, everyone is still on the same page as we were for however many years we’ve been here,” Brendel added. “We just want exactly what we did last season but with just one more win.”

In the opposite corner of the locker room was Jaylon Moore, a fourth-year veteran who’s filled Williams’ spot at left tackle throughout camp and the offseason, just as he’s routinely done on Wednesdays during the season as Williams rests. “Of course, being behind the best left tackle of all time and just learning from him every day has been my calling card,” Moore said.

Moore, a potential 2025 free agent, has given Williams space to deal with his own business while working hard and envisioning a Week 1 start against the Jets. If Moore reverts before then to a backup role, “I wouldn’t consider it a weird situation. I’m just keeping my head down, taking it day by day, trying to be the best I can be.”

HUFANGA’S RETURN

Nine months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Talanoa Hufanga went through his second straight practice. He warmed up with fellow safety Ji’Ayir Brown and starting cornerbacks Ward and Deommodore Lenoir — the 49ers’ projected starting secondary, if not in Week 1 then shortly thereafter.

“Just talking together, it’s, ‘Damn, we finally got the guys back,’ ” Brown said of that foursome scene. “He knew his time was going to come where he was going to back on the field There’s no need to have a negative approach or a negative mindset. It’s going to happen eventually.”

Added defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen: “He’s always positive. He’s a good dude. He’s also very smart, cerebral, always wanting to talk ball. The way he plays, he’s a violent player, too and he cuts it loose.” If Hufanga isn’t yet ready for Week 1, George Odum figures to get the start, and Sorensen praised Odum’s growth in coverage and communication.

PRACTICE NOTES

The 49ers will resume practicing Tuesday, then after a day off, they’ll practice three consecutive days and officially post injury reports for the first time. Floyd (knee), Hufanga (knee) and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (ankle) practiced Thursday. Those who did not: Aiyuk (holdout), running backs Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Isaac Guerendo (groin), guard Aaron Banks (hand), linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (oblique).

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Published on August 29, 2024 15:03

High health care costs in Monterey, Salinas area hospitals examined by state office

SEASIDE – Amid impassioned pleas from local workers for help with the ever-growing weight of health care-related costs, the state’s Office of Health Care Affordability Board took in presentations that mostly focused on Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas Valley Health and Natividad hospital, at its meeting on Wednesday.

“It’s a significant show of recognition of the work that workers in this area have been doing to bring attention to these cost differentials where Monterey, unfortunately, leads the state as the number one outlier,” said former State Senator Bill Monning.

The eight-member OHCA Board held its first meeting outside Sacramento at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside with more than 100 people in attendance, many of whom spoke about their experiences dealing with the crushing effects of hospital bills, insurance premiums and deductibles.

“You have the power and the authority,” said Monning to the board. “You show it by your presence here today, to cap increase in health care costs throughout the state and in this county of Monterey. I understand from my research, the data that everyone is sharing, there is no doubt about us being an outlier. That’s proven. The question is, what can you and what can the state of California do to cap the rate increases and to protect workers who are deciding between a wage increase to pay their rent and feed their families, and their contract negotiations being derailed by all the increase in compensation from an employer going to increase health care costs? We need to bring it down. I read that you have until 2028, I urge you to accelerate your authority to reduce an increase in rates in Monterey County.”

Using publicly-available data on health care premiums, spending and prices, the state’s Department of Health Care Access and Information found that California premium and deductible growth were consistent with national trends, but average prices paid for health care services in California were the third highest average compared to other states in 2021, while California had the lowest average utilization among states.

Overall prices in metropolitan areas in the state were above the national median in 2021 with the Salinas/Monterey core-based statistical area at 84%, second only to the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area at 92%.

But the Monterey/Salinas area leads the state at 163% in inpatient prices above the national median in 2021, while its outpatient prices at 110% above the national median was second again only to the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area at 120%.

Jessica Altman, executive director for Covered California, and a guest presenter said that she found the most shocking slides of everyone’s presentations on Wednesday to be the ones that show California is the lowest on utilization and the highest on prices.

“We can talk about the Rand study and what it means that if health care costs less people will use more of it, necessary and unnecessary,” said Altman. “Well, that tells me there’s a lot of necessary utilization that isn’t happening in our state and that’s a place we need to focus.”

In Altman’s presentation. Covered California Overview, it showed that California has experienced the largest percentage point drop in the uninsured rate of any state in the nation. It also found that throughout Covered California’s history, Region 9 – Monterey and Santa Cruz counties – has averaged consistently higher rate increases than other regions throughout the state. From 2014-2025, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties saw an annual average rate increase of 10.9%.

But Covered California has found that Region 9 has substantially lower risk scores than the state overall, meaning people have better health here than other areas. Since 2018, the average risk score has been 15% less than that of the state for the same carriers who operate in the region. Covered California found that health status is not a primary driver of higher premiums in the region.

In the case study of hospitals in Monterey County, the Department of Health Care Access and Information found that net patient revenues – the amounts received by hospitals from payers and patients for the delivery of care – per adjusted discharge for Community Hospital and Salinas Valley Health were consistently higher than the statewide average from 2016-2022.

A review of HCAI data finds that Monterey County hospitals have positive operating margins, indicating profitability, in particular, Community Hospital and Salinas Valley Health had significantly higher operating margins than the statewide average. According to the data, these profits are not associated with larger amounts of charity care provided. Natividad and Salinas Valley Health have higher levels of bad debt. Community Hospital has a similar level of bad debt compared to the statewide average and a lower level of charity care provided.

Operating margin is the net income from operations divided by total operating revenue – net patient revenue plus other operating revenue. This ratio indicates the percentage of net patient revenue which remains as income after operating expenses have been deducted. Charity care cost refers to the difference between the cost to the hospital for services provided to patients who were unable to pay for all or part of the services provided and the amount paid by or on behalf of the patient. Bad debt is the amount of care that was owed by the patient but not paid. It could be due to uninsured care of the patient’s unpaid deductible or copay.

Former State Senator Bill Monning addresses the Office of Health Care Affordability Board on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Christopher Whaley of the Brown University School of Public Health examined Monterey and Salinas area hospital prices and found that premiums and deductibles have outpaced worker wages. In comparing Monterey and Salinas area hospitals with California and Bay Area prices, he found that the hospital prices here are above peers, as well as having higher inpatient prices and higher outpatient prices, but Monterey and Salinas area hospitals have lower professional prices.

The Brown University study found no correlation with Medicare, Medicaid, or uncompensated patients “cost shifting” was not true, there was minimal correlation with quality and outcomes, but there was a strong correlation with market power and concentration.

The study concluded that rising health care costs place tremendous pressure on employers and worker wages, the wide variation in hospital prices presents a potential savings opportunity for patients, employers and purchasers, and they need to demand and use transparent information on the prices they are paying, while state and federal policies need to ensure employers and purchasers are on equal playing fields and health care markets are competitive.

The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council said that last year the three hospitals in Monterey County – Community Hospital, Salinas Valley Health and Natividad – took in net revenue of over $1 billion from commercial insurance plans. Some from employer and union-sponsored plans.

“Businesses and local governments are unable to invest in needed improvements because so much is required just to provide health coverage for employees,” said Alicia Metters, SEIU 521 Region 2 Vice President and Social Worker in Monterey County, in a press release.

“(Wednesday), the Office of Health Care Affordability presented a clear case demonstrating that Monterey County is in a health care access crisis,” said Cesar Lara from the California Federation of Labor Unions. “The costs for working families here are the highest in the state, highlighting the urgent need for action from the board. If we can address the crisis in Monterey County, we can set a precedent for the entire state. Action is needed now – working families can’t wait any longer.”

Montage Health, parent company of Community Hospital, said in a statement from Mindy Maschmeyer, director of marketing and communications, that it is committed to lowering the costs of providing high-quality health care for the people living and working in Monterey County.

According to Maschmeyer, Montage Health is embarking on a Community Affordability Initiative, a complex, multidisciplinary process that will take several years to fully implement.

“We are targeting $50 million in cost reductions over the next 24 months which will allow us to lower our expenses and return those dollars to the community via lower rates,” said Maschmeyer. “This is a priority for senior leaders in the organization and our frontline medical staff alike. All 3,000 Montage Health employees are actively looking at ways to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and maintain excellent levels of care.”

Maschmeyer said that Montage is actively working with large local employer groups and unions to ensure that the people living and working on the Monterey Peninsula have access to affordable high-quality health care.

“We have reached an agreement with the largest hospitality employer on the (Monterey) Peninsula to ensure that their employees – largely housekeepers, servers, groundskeepers, and maintenance staff – can access our services at in-network rates,” said Maschmeyer.

The same offer has been made to Unite Here which is considering the proposal, as well as an offer made to Municipalities, Colleges and Schools Insurance Group which represents 27 member agencies, including school districts such as Monterey Peninsula Unified, Carmel Unified and Pacific Grove Unified, and the city of Seaside.

Maschmeyer pointed out that Montage Health’s price increase was 5% in 2023 and 4% in 2024, and that it is working on adjustments to reduce the increase to the OHCA targets over the coming years.

Covered California Executive Director Jessica Altman addresses members of the Office of Health Care Affordability Board at its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Superintendent of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, PK Diffenbaugh, said the current situation is unsustainable and impacting school district employees.

Diffenbaugh lauded the employees of the district who made their voices heard at the meeting during the public comment portions of the meeting as “they are representative of literally hundreds of our employees across our district.”

But he also wanted to make sure the OHCA Board understood that the long-simmering situation has been impacting the students in the district.

“MPUSD’s population is overcoming tremendous challenges,” said Diffenbaugh. “Twenty percent of our students are experiencing housing insecurity and are defined as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act – that’s one in every five students you see in our classroom. Because of the high cost of living, including health care, every year MPUSD loses 80-100 certificated staff representing nearly 20% of certificated staff turning over every single year.”

Diffenbaugh said that what this does is create tremendous instability in the classroom.

“The best thing we can do for our students who are already overcoming a lot of challenges, is to create the stability where they are seeing their teachers every single day and their teachers are allowed to grow in their profession and stay here in the community,” said Diffenbaugh. “Currently, that is not possible, so what we’re doing is having our most vulnerable students subjected to some of the highest turnover in the state and that’s impacting their future and their well-being.”

Diffenbaugh said the situation is urgent here and another three or four years cannot be spent talking about the same data he believes will not change.

“We can take action. You have the authority to do so, and I hope that you do,” he said.

Salinas Valley Health President and CEO, Dr. Allen Radner said in a statement that health care affordability is a complex issue and one Salinas Valley Health takes seriously.

“We are proud of our legacy of delivering quality health care at a local level, to everyone in our community,” said Radner. “We participated in a call this week, with leadership at the California Health and Human Services Agency and look forward to ongoing conversations with the Office of Health Care Affordability, our patients, and our community partners on these health care concerns. Our organization is and will remain focused on exceptional quality, access for all and solutions to the high cost of care.”

Natividad also issued a statement in response to the OHCA meeting saying that “As the safety-net hospital of our community, Natividad’s mission is at the heart of everything we do. Our high-quality health care is available to everyone, particularly the vulnerable, regardless of the ability to pay.”

For more than 138 years, Natividad has been committed to improving health throughout Monterey County by supporting the long-term sustainability of its hospital, its mission and the essential services it provides, according to its statement.

The OCHA Board looked at data from federal and state sources at its meeting in Seaside on Wednesday including from the Department of Health Care Access and Information, Covered California and the California Public Employees Retirement System that highlighted an affordability crisis in Monterey County. OHCA will continue to develop and collect data on spending and dive deeper in the variations and drivers of spending in the county.

OCHA’s next meeting will be Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., 2020 West El Camino Ave., in Sacramento.

For the slide presentations for this meeting, visit https://hcai.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/August-2024-Board-Meeting-Presentation-Correct.pdf

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Published on August 29, 2024 14:44

Kurtenbach: Trent Williams never bluffs. So why are the 49ers messing around?

SANTA CLARA — A month ago, I wrote in this very space that the Trent Williams’ hold-out didn’t worry me for the Niners.

Allow me to revise that statement.

If I were the Niners, I would be worried sick that Williams would follow through on his promise not to play unless San Francisco made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league for the 2024 season (and, perhaps, beyond).

Because if Williams doesn’t play, the Niners can’t even sniff the Super Bowl, much less win one.

It’s as cut-and-dry as that.

A month ago, such a negotiation seemed cut-and-dry, too. Williams named a price, and the Niners needed to meet it.

You don’t go to Target and negotiate the cost of a bath towel. You pay the price on the tag, or you don’t get the item.

In this terrible analogy, Williams might be a very expensive bath towel, but you get the point.

Apparently, 49ers general manager John Lynch has not.

On Wednesday, Lynch went to the dais at Levi’s Stadium and tersely answered questions about the Niners’ two hold-outs, Brandon Aiyuk and Williams.

On Williams, the GM said, “There’s good communication. We’re constantly working, throwing out ideas to try to have a breakthrough, and it just hasn’t happened yet.”

What ideas are there to toss out there, John?

Is this guy still trying to negotiate?

Let’s make something clear about Williams: this is not a man to be trifled with in any capacity.

The man has beaten cancer. He’s made more money than any offensive lineman in the NFL’s history. At age 36, he’s one of the best players in the league. I didn’t say linemen; I said players.

The only question to be asked about his legacy is, “What size will your gold jacket be, sir?”

And don’t forget this man held out for the entirety of the 2019 season on principle.

Williams has never once flinched in his life, and he’s not bluffing here. Pay up, or he will not render his services.

Services the 49ers desperately need.

Yet, for some unknown, and frankly unjustifiable reason, the Niners continue to test Williams.

They better cut that out, lest they torpedo their Super Bowl hopes before the season starts.

Let’s make something else clear: the Niners are not equipped to compete without Williams.

This offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL going into the campaign without Williams. Even with him, it’s average at best.

We saw how woeful the 49ers were without Williams last season. When the left tackle missed three games mid-campaign, the Niners lost all three contests. The offense couldn’t move the ball, and Brock Purdy looked anything like the league MVP.

And when Williams looked like a lesser version of himself in the Super Bowl, the Niners’ offense sputtered again.

San Francisco currently has two tackles on the team’s 53-man roster, and that duo is high in the running for the worst tackle pairing in football. (There’s some steep competition this season.) Pair that with a questionable (at best) interior line, and the Niners could be looking at a situation where Purdy has nowhere to hide.

He might be a mobile quarterback, and Kyle Shanahan might be an offensive genius, but you can’t scheme around a problem like this.

The Niners can manage if Aiyuk decides to play hardball and holds out for weeks on end. They’ll be worse, but there’s viable depth at wide receiver. Jauan Jennings can take snaps. Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing can, too. The Niners can even trot Chris Conley.

Not one is a player on the level of Aiyuk, but you can aggregate something worthwhile. Jennings as a blocker, Pearsall as the intermediate-to-deep routes, Cowing on the short digs.

Again, you’d prefer to have No. 11, but you’re not buried without him.

The Niners are buried without No. 71.

Lynch and Shanahan keep saying they are “optimistic” that something will get done, but the time for optimism has passed. There’s a game in 10 days. It’s time for pragmatism.

Because amid 15-or-so minutes of obfuscation, gaslighting, and lying (outright), Lynch did say something true on Wednesday:

“We don’t get paid to try. We get paid to do,” Lynch said.

And right now, his job is to pay Williams whatever it takes to get the big man back to work. Get it done.

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Published on August 29, 2024 14:36

A stroll by the shore

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Published on August 29, 2024 14:11

Horoscopes Aug. 29, 2024: Carla Gugino, learn from the past

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lauren Collins, 38; Lea Michele, 38; Carla Gugino, 53; Rebecca De Mornay, 65.

Happy Birthday: Plan your actions, use energy wisely and make the most of each day. Focus on friendships, making time for the people and pastimes you enjoy, expanding your circle of friends and taking better care of your health, wealth and emotional well-being. Learn from the past but let go of what’s come and gone and move on to what motivates you. Live, love and laugh. Your numbers are 6, 13, 21, 27, 33, 35, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pay attention to how you present yourself physically and choose your words carefully. Knowing what triggers those around you will benefit you in getting what you want. Offer incentives or worthwhile suggestions. It’s all about fitting in and making your input valuable. Live and let live. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Fix your surroundings to serve you better. Convenience can save you a bundle if you are thrifty and manage your life to suit your needs. A change in how you approach work and how you get along with your colleagues will impact your lifestyle. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Expand your mind and start conversations that help you learn something new to improve your life. Develop a better routine and work ethic to get better results. Life is about positive change and fulfillment. Distance yourself from those trying to take advantage of you. Focus on freedom. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Pay attention and speak and act in a heartfelt manner, and the response you receive will offer insight into whom to do business with and whom to avoid. Truth matters, and actions and words are relevant. Change begins with your choices and a circle of those who make you feel comfortable. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Inconsistency will work against you. Stay on track, follow through with your plans and have backup in place to help you avoid falling behind. Timing is essential in completing the test. Put your energy where it counts and connect with people who want the same results. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Invest in yourself, add to your qualifications and experience, and put your time and effort into making your dreams come true. Express your intentions, and the feedback you receive will help you determine your next move. Arguing will not help you advance, but a liberal mindset will. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll need patience, discipline and stamina to achieve your goals. Approach every situation with an open mind and the intent to finish what you start. Don’t waste time in turbulent conditions. Head in the direction that allows you to accomplish the most. Protect your health and reputation. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Explore the possibilities and take advantage of opportunities that interest you. Mixing business with pleasure will make your day more enjoyable and the outcome fruitful. Speak from the heart, and the response you receive will prompt you to do more. Make choices for the right reason and prosper. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be direct regarding what you are willing to do before you commit to something. If you give them the chance, someone will misinterpret or take advantage of you. Put your time and effort into progressive action, leaving no room for criticism or default. Choose action over anger. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take precautions, ask questions and withhold personal information. Protect against smooth operators trying to part you from your cash. Invest in your security and safety and do your research to prevent fraudulent dealings. Trust your instincts, hide your assets and savor your privacy and peace of mind. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Get out, socialize and join forces with those who want to be part of a solution, not the problem. Establish what matters to you and make lifestyle changes that define your place in the universe. Put your energy where it counts, do something worthwhile and enjoy the outcome. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a moment to organize your thoughts. Refuse to let anyone rush you into anything that may jeopardize a meaningful relationship or domestic environment. Consider what makes you happy and surround yourself with those who share your enthusiasm. Hone your skills and avoid temptation and excess. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are aggressive, curious and friendly. You are unpredictable and bold.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters.

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Published on August 29, 2024 03:00

August 28, 2024

SF Giants reportedly put players on waivers as playoff hopes take another hit in loss to Brewers

MILWAUKEE — Ostensibly, the Giants are still in a playoff race.

But their actions Wednesday suggested otherwise.

On the field, they couldn’t recover from five runs leveled against Kyle Harrison and fell back to .500 in a 5-3 loss to the Brewers.

Hours earlier, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the team had placed a trio of veterans — relievers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Matzek and second baseman Thairo Estrada — on irrevocable waivers, making them available to any team willing to pay the remainder of their salaries.

“It’s frustrating,” Harrison said of the Giants’ season-long struggle to cement themselves among the National League’s true contenders.

While it’s not uncommon for players to end up on waivers this time of year, it’s also not a ringing endorsement from a team’s front office when they put their Opening Day second baseman and a fixture of their bullpen up for grabs at the going rate of salary relief.

Even after their win in the opening game of the series, the Giants (67-67) entered Wednesday with 2.7% odds of making the postseason, according to FanGraphs, and the loss dropped them 6½ games back of Braves (73-60) for the final wild card, behind two other teams: the Mets (69-63) and Cubs (68-66).

“Everybody in this clubhouse, what they’re looking for is victories,” Estrada said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “That’s what we’re striving for. Everyone in this clubhouse is giving 100% everyday, max effort, and trying to contribute in every way.”

Estrada has been one of the majors’ worst hitters this season — a wRC+ of 64, or 34% below league average — but his defensive acumen at second base and $4.7 million salary could make him an attractive bench piece for a contender looking to shore up their middle infield.

Rogers has a 2.45 ERA in 54 games this year and 83 career saves but has seemingly fallen out of favor in San Francisco, relegated to mostly low-stakes situations, with a year and $12 million left on the contract he signed before last season.

With the emergence of Tyler Fitzgerald and the Giants’ anticipated pursuit of Padres pending free-agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, Estrada had been a candidate to be non-tendered this winter, and others in the same bucket — such as outfielder Michael Conforto — could face similar fates if the Giants’ fall further out of contention.

“I don’t think you ever get used to it,” said Estrada, who was DFA’d by the Yankees before the Giants picked him up in 2021. “That’s something that I just can’t control. It’s part of the game, but the one thing I can control is just go out there again and play as hard as I can and try to get my team some wins.”

It didn’t take long for Estrada to prove he could still contribute, poking the Giants’ first of only two hits off Freddy Peralta into left field to lead off the third and forcing a poor throw from third baseman Joey Ortiz in the seventh that allowed Matt Chapman to score their first run of the night.

Estrada was one of two players in the Giants’ lineup with multiple hits, while Conforto doubled home a run and scored another to cut the deficit to 5-3 in the eighth.

“When you have a five-run inning, that can delate you a little bit,” Melvin said. “But we came back against some really good bullpen arms and scored three runs and made it a game where we had a chance again.”

Despite pitching on extra rest, Harrison wasn’t able to complete five innings for the third time in five August starts.

Reaching a career-high in innings the last time he took the mound, the Giants skipped the 23-year-old left-hander the last time through the rotation. He took the mound Wednesday with nine days of rest since his last start and looked fresh for the first four innings, allowing only two runners to reach base, but hit a wall in the fifth.

William Contreras delivered the final blow of the five-run inning with a 435-foot, two-run blast on Harrison’s 92nd and final pitch of the night. The lights flashed and the Brewers’ catcher celebrated his shot right in front of Melvin, rounding third base as the manager made his way to the mound.

“I felt great today,” Harrison said. “Stuff was great. I think I was just a little out of rhythm (in the fifth).”

In five August starts, Harrison has a 6.12 ERA compared to the 3.69 mark he had through his first 18 starts of the season.

Harrison breezed through the first four frames so easily that Melvin said he thought he has six in him but finished with five runs allowed on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Still, Melvin believed Harrison benefitted from the extra rest.

“It certainly felt like it at the beginning,” he said. “There was a lot of life (on his pitches). … He pitched really well up to (the fifth inning). He was getting strikeouts, getting swings and misses, backdoor breaking ball, throwing his breaking ball for strikes. It just happened quickly on him.”

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Published on August 28, 2024 19:53

Marco Lucido, Workplace Law: Employer’s obligations related to school leave

Question: A staff member has requested time off to participate in activities at their child’s school. Am I required to approve this request for time off?

Answer: Maybe, depending on the size of your company and the reason for the leave request.

Employers who employ 25 or more employees at the same location must allow eligible employees to take up to 40 hours of unpaid leave each year for participation in “school-related activities” or to deal with a school or childcare provider emergency.

School-related activities include finding, enrolling, or re-enrolling the child in a school or with a licensed childcare provider, or to participate in school or childcare provider activities.
An “emergency” means that the employee’s child cannot remain in school or at the childcare provider. This includes the following reasons: there is a behavioral or disciplinary problem; there is a closure or the school or provider is unexpectedly unavailable; there has been a natural disaster such as a fire, earthquake, or flood; or the school or provider has requested that the child be picked up or has an attendance policy that prohibits the child from attending or requires the child to be picked up.

To be eligible for leave under the above scenarios, the employee must be a parent, guardian, stepparent, foster parent, grandparent, or a person who stands in place of a parent, to a child or children of kindergarten age or a grade between 1 and 12. If more than one parent of a child is employed by the same employer at the same location, the parent who first gave notice to the employer is entitled to take leave, but an employer may approve the other parent’s leave.

The employee must provide the employer with reasonable notice before a planned absence. If the time off is needed for an emergency reason listed above, employees are required to give notice as soon as possible.

At the request of an employer, an employee must provide documentation from the school or childcare provider as proof that the employee participated in the activities on a specific date and time. Documentation is whatever written verification the school or childcare provider deems appropriate and reasonable.

Time off for these activities may not exceed eight hours in any calendar month.

Employees must use existing vacation, personal leave, or paid time off (PTO) to participate in activities of the child’s school or childcare provider unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement. However, the employee may also use unpaid time off to participate in these activities if the employer provides it.

Moreover, all employers (regardless of size) may need to provide time off to attend a child’s suspension/expulsion meeting or to comply with a school’s suspension/expulsion requirements. The employee must give their employer reasonable notice of the need to take time off for this purpose. In addition, employees may be entitled to leave to care for a child’s illness or injury.

Employers should make sure their human resources personnel, managers, and supervisors are aware of the available school-related leaves to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Employers with specific questions about these leaves may also contact their legal counsel.

Marco Lucido is a lawyer with Fenton & Keller in Monterey. This column is intended to answer questions of general interest and should not be construed as legal advice. Email queries to email@fentonkeller.com.

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Published on August 28, 2024 18:40

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