Lukewarm Support for Obama on Health Care, Thumbs Down on Congress

While that approval rate is not high, it's a world better than the marks the public gives to Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Sixty percent disapprove of the Democrats' performance while 25 percent approve, with 15 percent undecided. Sixty-seven percent disapprove of how Republicans are handling the issue compared to 17 percent who give them positive marks, with 16 percent undecided.

Fifty-two percent believe congressional Democrats are serious about reforming the health care system while 69 percent say the Republicans are not serious about it.

Sixty-one percent say they would be disappointed if a health care bill does not pass this year compared to 29 percent who would be pleased. Seventy-nine percent of Democrats and 60 percent of independents would be disappointed, while 59 percent of Republicans would be pleased.

This poll, like others, shows the disconnect between what the public says it favors and how individuals believe a reform bill would affect them. Only 18 percent say passage of a health care reform bill would help them personally, 31 percent expect it to hurt them and 45 percent predict it will have no effect on their lives.

How will a lawmaker's vote on health care affect voter decisions in next year's midterm elections? The answer is mixed: 30 percent of registered voters say support for a health care reform bill would make it more likely that they would vote for a lawmaker, 30 percent say less likely and 35 percent say it would have no effect on their decision.