"In what kind of bleak world would no one be willing to pay for a probable return to full health?"

This one.

People are dying now because of diseases we have basically eradicated in rich countries. The choice you're talking about making, saving a life for a few weeks worth of your own salary, is one that is already available to you and many others. What are you doing about it?

Now, I think you're right that it's horribly wrong to be letting people die when it's so easily avoidable, and I donate half my salary to help make things better, but most people don't think this way--most people just spend their money on themselves. Which means that if you're relying on the generosity of others to revive you you're probably going to be out of luck.