The recent elimination of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office responsible for setting federal poverty guidelines threatens the well-being of over 80 million Americans.

This team played a crucial role in determining eligibility for vital programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, and childcare services.

The small team, with technical data expertise, worked out of HHS' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, or ASPE.

The sacking of the office could lead to cuts in assistance to low-income families next year unless the Trump administration restores the positions, said Robin Ghertner, the fired director of the office to CBS News.

"There's literally no one in the government who knows how to calculate the guidelines. And because we're all locked out of our computers, we can't teach anyone how to calculate them."

Without accurate and timely poverty guidelines, millions risk losing access to essential support systems. The disbandment of this office not only undermines the integrity of social safety nets but also jeopardizes the health and economic stability of countless families.

We urge the immediate reinstatement of the HHS team responsible for calculating federal poverty guidelines.

Their expertise is indispensable in ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most.