You're right, it is pedantic, it goes without saying that nobody is suggesting that Europeans have figured out how to bypass the laws of thermodynamics to generate free healthcare in the most literal sense.

Well, it isn't paid by the unemployed, and it doesn't impose exorbitant costs to unlucky people.

Well if you want to get more pedantic it's free for the unemployed since they are not paying taxes.

Heh, Ben Shapiro likes to make a point of "liberals" expecting his wife to work for free.

Yes, in the majority of societies "free" healthcare is free at point of access and subsidised by taxes. Much like trash collection or road renovations. It's underlying infrastructure for a healthy society.

FWIW the US actually pays more taxes towards healthcare than europe, but that's because your medical industry is price fixing and gauging.[0]

[0]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/16/americans...