No-one says it's 'free'.
I pay National Insurance: currently £244/month deducted at source. The amount taken depends on wages. I've paid into the system all my working life.
I have no deductible, no co-pay and no out-of pocket, mind, and never get a medical bill ever.
https://www.hearingdirect.com/blogs/blog/how-long-is-the-wait-for-hearing-aids
I know people that come to the USA from Canada to get their medical procedures done, either due to the wait times or that they can’t get the procedure done in Canada.
In the UK, waiting 6 weeks just to get a hearing test and then another 3 months for the hearing aid seems excessive.
You idiot, they’re taking it out of you in taxes. Do your doctors and nurses work for free?