"David Deal's 2026 outlook is what he describes as a "whack-a-mole of worry." While he's 62 and presumably approaching retirement, 65 is "just a number" for him, not a milestone marker for throwing in the towel on his career like his parents' generation. The thing that really has him wound up, though, is healthcare, which he calls a "DEFCON 1" situation."
""For me, it's the double-whammy of skyrocketing premiums and also the skyrocketing costs of actually getting care," he says. "We are literally at a point where we can't afford to be sick, and we can't afford to be healthy." He emphasizes that he means a collective "we" - he knows he's far from alone in his predicament."
""Uncertainty" has been the word of the year for business. Policy whiplash is emanating from the White House - it's hard to keep up with the turmoil around tariffs, immigration, and presidential outbursts toward the Federal Reserve. Anxiety over a potential AI bubble is palpable, even as companies spend on the technology like there's no tomorrow. The stock market is still strong, but it's a bumpy ride. Inflation remains a looming threat. Businesses are clearly on edge."
David Deal, a 62-year-old marketing consultant in the Chicago suburbs, faces a 25% health-insurance premium increase and fears one injury could cause financial disaster. A family member's two-hour ER visit cost thousands despite coverage, reinforcing that care is increasingly unaffordable. Millions of Americans are poised to see large premium jumps in 2026, intensifying personal financial strain. Policy volatility around tariffs, immigration, and Federal Reserve tensions fuels business uncertainty. Rapid AI investment coexists with bubble concerns, the stock market remains volatile, inflation looms, and federal workers endured a month-long pay interruption during a record shutdown.
Read at Business Insider
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