Americans are evenly divided regarding whether or not to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, if given the choice, according to a new Bankrate.com report. This deadlock among Americans (46% on both sides of the issue) mirrors the division the law has caused in Congress.

Americans' opinions of Obamacare differ greatly with age. Americans in the 18-29 age group are the most likely to be uninsured (22%); they are also responding most favorably to Obamacare, with 51% opting to keep it. By contrast, Americans age 65 and older are the least likely to be uninsured (3%) and also the most likely to object to Obamacare, with only 32% electing to keep it. 

Residents of rural areas are much more likely to want to repeal Obamacare than their urban and suburban counterparts. Almost two in three rural residents (64%) would vote to repeal versus 31% of urban and 48% of suburban residents.

In terms of geography, the Midwest is most in favor of repealing Obamacare (55%), and the Northeast is most in favor of keeping it (just 38% would vote to repeal). And perhaps not surprisingly, 74% of Democrats would vote to keep Obamacare and 79% of Republicans would vote to repeal. Independents sided with repealing, 49% to 41%.

"While the country is divided on Obamacare, consumers must stay focused on getting informed about how the law will affect them," said Bankrate.com insurance analyst Doug Whiteman. "In our September report, 15% of Americans said they were unsure of what Obamacare is. Now that the health insurance exchanges are open, it is more important than ever for consumers to take action on the best option for them."

Thirty-one percent of Americans are feeling more negative about the Affordable Care Act now than they were 12 months ago, almost three times as many as the 11% who are feeling more positive. Upper-middle-income households (annual income$75,000 and up) are the most likely to feel worse about their health insurance situation now versus one year ago.

One in four Americans say it is more difficult to handle medical expenses now than it was a year ago (nearly three times as many as those who say it is easier).

These findings comprise Bankrate.com's second Health Insurance Pulse, a monthly survey that tracks how Americans are feeling about health care and their personal finances. The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) and can be seen in its entirety here:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/health-insurance-charts-1013.aspx