Amid a budget debate that will affect the health care of virtually every family, a new poll finds support for President Barack Obama's overhaul at its lowest level since passage last year. The Associated Press-GfK poll showed that support for Obama's expansion of health insurance coverage has slipped to 35 percent, while opposition stands at 45 percent and another 17 percent are neutral.

That nearly ties the previous low in September 2009, when after a summer of heated town hall meetings dominated by critics, only 34 percent supported Obama's approach. The worry this time appears to be federal budget deficits driven by unmanageable health care costs. Among seniors, whose views are critical in any debate over health care, support for the law dipped below 30 percent for the first time in AP-GfK polling.

The poll showed the administration's message isn't getting through, particularly with seniors. Fifty-nine percent of seniors oppose the new health care law, while only 29 percent support it. Disapproval of Obama's handling of health care among seniors has ticked upward to 62 percent, while Republicans are more trusted than Democrats to handle the issue, by a 51 percent to 36 percent margin.

By contrast, among adults of all ages, Obama's approval rating on health care stands at 52 percent, and 53 percent say they trust Democrats to do a better job. The Associated Press-GfK Poll was conducted March 24-28 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. – AP

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Support for Obama&rsquo;s health overhaul hits new low

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Support for Obama’s health overhaul hits new low