SAVANNAH, Ga. --- A new poll suggests voter backlash against U.S. Rep. John Barrow is likely if he votes for a health care bill that funds abortion.

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U.S. Rep. John Barrow would lose support in his district if he votes for a bill that would fund abortions, a survey shows.

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The poll found that 53 percent of voters in the Democrat's 12th Congressional District -- which includes a portion of the Augusta area -- say they're less likely to vote for a congressman who casts such a vote.

That view was shared by 32 percent of Democratic voters and 59 percent of the independents.

Only 29 percent of all respondents said they were more likely to cast ballots for someone who voted for a health care bill that pays for abortions.

The survey was conducted last Thursday through Sunday by the polling company inc./ WomanTrend for the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List.

The group sponsored polls -- which had a 5.6 percent margin of error -- in Barrow's district and those of six other anti-abortion Democrats. The overall results were similar.

"We want them to know there are consequences to voting with special interests instead of their constituents," said Marilyn Musgrave of the Anthony List group.

The congressmen are being pressed by the White House to vote -- perhaps this week -- for a health care bill that likely will include abortion funding.

The Senate passed it late last year, but it differed from a House-passed version that barred funding for elective abortions.

As Democrats tried to iron out that and other wrinkles, they lost their 60-vote Senate majority -- and thus their ability to cut off Republican debate on most bills.

Now they hope the House will pass the Senate bill, and that both chambers can use a budget "reconciliation" bill to resolve their differences.

But that strategy could require the votes of members such as Barrow, who voted to amend the House bill to ban federal funds from being used for abortions. He also voted against the bill.

"It's fairly clear that Barrow could pay a high political price" if he goes along, said polling company CEO Kellyanne Conway.

The pollster's political surveys are conducted mostly for Republicans and conservatives.

The 12th District poll indicated 43 percent of respondents think Barrow should vote against the bill even if it bars abortion funding. Only 24 percent want him to vote for it if it doesn't.