A recent survey on the public “pulse” of President Obama’s signature policy point echoes sentiment that could be a thorn in many a Republican’s side as the he takes to the airwaves tonight to act as spokesperson for the debate on healthcare overhaul. The University of Minnesota announced today results of a survey [PDF], taken in May, on the public’s level of discomfort with the current system of healthcare financing and access to it. Keep in mind, these results are based upon data taken well before the current level of national discourse on this topic.

• About half of all Americans (46 percent) are worried that they won’t be able to pay for future health care needs.

• 22.4 percent say they or a family member put off seeing a doctor (when medically necessary) during the past year because of concerns about cost.

• 22.7 percent said they had trouble paying medical bills during the past year.

No doubt, these numbers are probably an overestimate based upon the numbers of respondents over 65 years of age; but the emotions behind them tell a much more sobering story — one of fear of the absolute loss of access to medical care.

Although the media has publicized stunning poll results that place an overwhelming level of support for an increased level of government involvement (meaning funding at the hands of higher taxes at some point), there does seem to be a strong dissonance between lawmakers and the will of the people on this issue. It seems to have nothing to do with party affiliation, but everything to do with private third-party lobbyists. And it’s that difference in viewpoint that threatens any plan of substance Obama has for meaningful legislation this session (well, enough to please absolutely everybody, anyway).

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Obama’s desire to get some level of reform depends more on the cost of doing so than of requisite bipartisanship. Those lobbying against reform the loudest are those who have the most to lose in a free market (which is probably why they don’t have to worry about any legislation with any modicum of a single-payer characteristic seeing passage anytime soon). In this case, it’s easy to see that any significant legislation on this point is essentially dead at the gate. That won’t stop private healthcare industry allies from taking aim at Obama in the process to make sure that happens.

Perhaps as an indication of this, Obama allies are planning a rally today in prep for tonight’s townhall. Selling everything he can to the American public while stopping short on a public option plan appears to be his strategy currently. While that may not seem optimal to the voters who passionately put him in office on this issue, they seem to be content with Obama’s assertion that those “who cannot afford healthcare at any cost” will be given that opportunity.

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