The volatile issue of abortion has come front and center to the health care reform battle with wrangling over health insurance coverage of the procedure.

But a new poll suggest that while most Americans don't support public funding for abortions, the issue plays only a small role among those who oppose reform, according to the poll, by the Pew Research Center.

When asked directly about whether abortion should be a benefit of a government health care reform plan, the majority -- 55 percent -- said no way. But when asked to explain in their own words their opposition to health care reform, just 3 percent of opponents said their objection to reform was because of abortion, the poll found. 

While it may not be the sole reason for discontent with the health overhaul, it was among a few. About 56 percent of opponents listed abortion as one of the major factors in their opposition, the poll found. Still, concern about costs and the expanded role of the government ranked far higher.

The poll, conducted between Nov. 12 and 15 asked a little over 1,000 people their thoughts on abortion and health care reform.

Two weeks ago, the House voted to probhibit federal subsidies for insurance that covers abortion in its version of the health care bill. The Senate's version does not have that stipulation at the moment. Expect the issue to be fought hard in the Senate. An interesting side note, this Politico story explains how taxpayers already provide subsidies for health care plans that cover abortions.

Back to the poll. While many Americans had strong feelings on the legislation proposed in Congress, lots of folks said the bills were too complicated and a good 19 percent said they didn't know what to think of them. Go figure.