Andrew Kohut et al

As President Obama and Democratic leaders mounted what was characterized as the final push to pass health care reform legislation last week, the public followed the health care debate more closely than any other major story.

As Americans continue to track the debate over health care reform closely, a growing minority -- now 39% -- says they think health care legislation will pass this year.

The public and the media went their own ways on the news last week.

The debate over health care reform dominated the public's news interests last week, even as other stories - including the furor over new mammogram guidelines and Sarah Palin's book tour - vied for the news media's attention.

The Fox News Channel is viewed by Americans in more ideological terms than other television news networks.

When asked what is most important in helping them to form opinions on health care, 41% cite what they have heard or read in the media as most important; only somewhat fewer cite personal experiences (31%), while another 25% say that talking with friends and family is most important.

The number of Americans who say they are hearing too much about President Obama has not increased since mid-summer, despite the president's high media visibility.

The public's assessment of the accuracy of news stories is now at its lowest level in more than two decades of Pew Research surveys, and Americans' views of media bias and independence now match previous lows.

Despite the emergence of several major international stories - including an election in war-ravaged Afghanistan and the release of the so-called Lockerbie bomber, the public continued to be focused on domestic news - particularly the ongoing debate over health care reform.

Public interest in health care reform shows no signs of slackening, with news about the debate continuing to top the public's news agenda.