The March 9 editorial “Avoiding unnecessary suffering” endorsed the Maryland End-of-Life Option Act.

Contrary to claims by bill opponents, as in the March 13 letter “Maryland should reject assisted suicide,” terminally ill people who request medical aid in dying would do anything to live, but their disease is killing them. They just want the option to peacefully end unbearable suffering, however they define it. Equating medical aid in dying with someone prematurely ending their life is hurtful to the dying people who utilize this option and to their families.