I think that’s a little too simplistic as the same is true in places with nationalized health services - orders of magnitude more money is spend on advanced age related health than others.

I think it is because it is just simply easier to see that the 80 year old ‘needs’ healthcare and resources more so than the 30 year old. As a society we just haven’t yet grasped the complexity and subtleties of preventative healthcare, especially mental health.