Pence: Trump is fighting to 'rescue' Americans from Obamacare

"I can promise you every single day that this president is fighting to rescue the American people from this policy."

That was the primary message delivered Tuesday by Vice-President Mike Pence to a gathering of HHS employees in Washington D.C.

Pence blasted former President Obama's legacy legislation, painting it as disaster that has undone healthcare in America, as opposed to overhauling it, calling Trump's plan the "north star" of their administration and pledging it will include a "dynamic" national insurance marketplace, affordable coverage for employees of American businesses, freedom and flexibility for states to create their own healthcare system and the ability for americans to make healthcare choices best for them in a "free and open process."

[Also: Trump policies threaten marketplace crash, major catastrophe for lawmakers]

Americans know for a fact that obamacare has failed, Pence said, citing a recent study from HHS that Pence said showed that obamacare has led to "skyrocketing premiums" across the country. He said all states have seen rises, singling out Tennessee and Louisiana who've seen  premium spikes of 175 percent and 125 percent respectively, according to the study.

Premiums have increased by nearly $3,000 for working families, and many are facing double digit premium hikes for 2018, Pence said.

He also cited dwindling coverage choices as the mass exodus of payers from the online insurance exchanges continues. Pence said five states, and a third of american counties have only one choice of Obamacare insurance coverage and some won't have any choices as remaining payers are also deciding to stay or go.

[Also: Pence casts tie-breaking vote to cut Planned Parenthood grants]

"Obamacare has fallen woefully short of its goal of covering the american people," Pence said.

Pence also blasted democrats for not helping to repeal Obamacare.

"The ones who have gave us Obamacare now won't even lift a finger to help clean up the mess they've created and their willing allies in the media continue to try and lay the blame for Obamacare's failures on this president and this administration as we try to rescue the american people from its failings."

[Also: Vice President Pence's home state Indiana moves to keep Medicaid expansion]

He touted the GOP healthcare reform bill, known as the American Health Care Act, which he said will repeal taxes and penalties from Obamacare, expand health savings accounts and give states "historic" flexibility to reform Medicaid that will best serve most vulnerable in their communities.

"President Trump is fighting to restore basic freedom to america's health insurance system," Pence said.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn