Final answer:
The statement in question functions as a conclusion to the overall argument, summing up the challenges the United States faces in terms of government regulation, job loss, and funding universal health care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "government regulation, job loss, and the ever-present problem of how to pay for universal health care are factors this country is not prepared to surmount" serves as a conclusion to the overall argument. This conclusion is drawn after considering the various aspects and challenges mentioned in the provided references, such as the contentious debate around the Affordable Care Act, the role of the government in providing health services and protecting the vulnerable, and the influence of government policies on unemployment and the working states in the United States.