It is very expensive to give bad medical care to poor people in a rich country.

I've been impressed, over the last 15 years, with how often the somewhat conspiratorial comments of Haitian villagers have been proven to be correct when the historical record is probed carefully.

We have to design a health delivery system by actually talking to people and asking, 'What would make this service better for you?' As soon as you start asking, you get a flood of answers.

I can't think of a better model for Haiti rebuilding than Rwanda.

But as for activism, my parents did what they could, given the constraints, but were never involved in the causes I think of when I think of activists.

Civil and political rights are critical, but not often the real problem for the destitute sick. My patients in Haiti can now vote but they can't get medical care or clean water.

The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.