alt Hacker NewsI don't believe the parent comment is saying people who need wheelchairs should get a cheaper worse option, they are pointing out that reasonable options in Germany exist for less than a grand whereas in the US, these reasonable options are borderline unaffordable
The Amazon results in the US are basically the same. You can buy chairs for $200 in the same way you can buy a bike from Walmart for $200. $200 chairs aren't suitable for day-to-day mobility, especially outside. This article I found in another comment explains the difference:
https://www.sammcintosh.com/blog/wheelchairtypes0620
Hospital chairs and everyday chairs are both technically wheelchairs, but they are totally different products for different purposes.