Thank you for your Feb. 28 editorial “Massachusetts should lead on paid family leave.’’ I was honored to testify before the joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development in October 2015, in support of a bill to establish paid medical leave in Massachusetts. I heard many stories that day of women who were forced to go back to work within a week or two of giving birth. While I enjoyed relatively generous maternity benefits, I heard many heart-rending stories of people forced to return to work because they either feared losing their job or could not afford the loss of income if they stayed home.

I am embarrassed that so many in our country are forced to choose between working to keep food on their table and recovering from giving birth or other serious illness. Sadly, it appears it is those with the least economic security who are suffering the most from the lack of a medical leave policy. This affects us all. Caring for a sick child or parent or recovering from one’s own illness should not threaten someone’s health, economic stability, or safety.

Jane Piercy

Brookline