A rational outlook on this is pretty simple, and yet not as black-and-white as you are suggesting the alternative to be. We want to maximize human quality of l

A rational outlook on this is pretty simple, and yet not as black-and-white as you are suggesting the alternative to be. We want to maximize human quality of life. People dying of a heart attack does not fit that goal, and a few corrupt politicians and some medical company executives and stockholders making millions while thousands also does not fit. Devoting the whole economy to keeping people alive, but not letting them enjoy that life does not fit either. A middle path of efficient markets in areas where that works, and of artificially supporting and regulating areas where market forces do not produce the desired outcome due to a lack of profitability or externalities, is not that hard to understand. It's just hard to implement.