Ian, my son, has another one of his double ear infections– unshakable fever for three days, general crankiness, etc. We have a walk-in after-hours clinic up the road from us that knows us by name these days, and normally we duck in and out with a sticker and antibiotics. Today, we had to sit on the floor.

All around us were little people in blankets, pajamas, on the laps of grandparents, lying across chairs. Flu, the doctor confirmed when I asked. On our way out, one little girl was being strapped into a portable bed. Two ambulances waited.

It made me think.

I would be surprised if there were an informed person in the country right now who didn’t know how the US stacked up against the top ranking country for health care according to WHO (France). But how about one of the bottom ranking countries– Myanmar?

Myanmar has no reported deaths from H1N1 as of last week. But what is the top cause of childhood death in that country?

Diarrhea. Yes– that stuff we cure with Pepto Bismol. The stuff we don’t die of here in the US– zero reported mortality cases in 2006– simply because we have access to clean water and decent waste disposal.

And if that doesn’t give you pause about the health benefits of living in America, think about this: If Ian and I had lived in Africa, there is a good chance he could have died of complications from his ear infection. 28,000 people did worldwide in 1990. That’s not counting the massive amounts of disability incurred via hearing loss, the top cause of which in developing countries is untreated otitis media. The WHO considers this such a severe problem that they have developed a worldwide health program specifically to address it.

Imagine. Imagine that your child gets diarrhea, and knowing that he might die from it. Imagine that your son gets a double ear infection, and knowing he might go deaf– because there is not a walk-in after hours clinic five minutes’ drive from your house, or a Target with over-the-counter medication at your fingertips, but a single traveling doctor you can walk to– if you’re lucky– once every few months.

Our current national debate about universal coverage, while absolutely essential, is also a privileged one. There’s no other way to remember it– except to remember it.

Try remembering it this way.