All of this focus on healthcare costs could translate into substantial public support for healthcare reform if Americans believed it would help to contain their own costs. But according to the new poll, Americans are much more likely to believe their own costs would get worse rather than better — 42% vs. 22% — if a healthcare bill passes this year.

The balance of opinion is also negative in perceptions of healthcare reform’s impact on their own healthcare coverage, insurance company demands, and quality of care.