well what did they used to do in the old days before the scooter pray tell
The truth? Many persons ended up in state contracted nursing homes at the cost to taxpayers of about $50-$100 a day or at a bare minimal $18K a year with $25K a year being a closer number. Others who did have family used manual wheelchairs meaning the person was 100% dependent on a family member to push the chair.
Scooters and even wheelchairs allow many persons which a couple of decades ago would have been confined to a care facility or home in bed to still live an active life. A basic strip down contract scooter is likely going to cost Medicare/Medicaid about $800 - $1200 depending on options prescribed and should under normal use last about seven years if treated right including maintenance. Keep in mind Medicare doesn't pay retail price. They'll contract with the dealer and/or manufacture for specific models sold with specific features at specific cost.
Scooters aren't as complicated components wise as a motorized wheelchairs are. In some cases they are actually cheaper than a custom build {fitted} manual wheelchair.
The real money to be made for the dealers is where private pay customers will come in and say WTH for $2500 I'll get all I want. Even Wally World sells them on line.