Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters favor a ban on abortion coverage in any health insurance plan that receives federal subsidies. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% are opposed to such a ban in the proposed health care legislation now before Congress.

Those figures include 39% who Strongly Favor it and 26% who are Strongly Opposed.

There are some provisions in the health care plan before Congress that are more popular and some that are less popular but none as controversial. The reason for the controversy is that attitudes on the provision cut across the lines of support and opposition for the overall bill.

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Among those who Strongly Support the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats, 55% oppose the provision on abortion. At the same time, 65% of those who Strongly Oppose the overall plan favor the ban on abortion coverage.

Adding to the complexity for advocates of reform, among those who only Somewhat Favor the legislation, 47% favor the abortion ban while 40% are opposed.

This dynamic is unique to the abortion issue. On every other part of the plan, there is more support among those who favor the overall legislation than among those who oppose it.

While most supporters of the plan oppose the abortion ban, that provision is difficult to drop because support for the overall legislation is already quite low. Just 39% of voters currently favor its passage, and public attitudes have hardened. Dropping the abortion provision might further erode support.

Voters doubt the Congressional Budget Office analysis and overwhelmingly believe the health care plan will cost more than projected. Most also believe it will lead to higher deficits and middle class tax hikes.

Fifty-two percent (52%) believe that passage of the plan could force them to change insurance coverage. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe each state should have the right to opt out of the entire plan, and just 34% want to see a single-payer health care system.

Rasmussen Reports has been tracking support for the health care legislation on a weekly basis, and the next update is scheduled for Monday morning. The results consistently show that most voters believe the plan will increase health care costs while hurting the quality of care. Most oppose the legislation, but, following passage of the Senate bill, 67% now believe it is likely to become law.

Earlier polling on the abortion issue, using a different question, found similar results. Just over half support the abortion ban, while 13% want mandatory coverage of abortion.

Most Americans (52%) think it is too easy to get an abortion in America. Only 13% say it’s too hard to get one, while 21% believe the current availability is about right.

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