The numbers are in. A recent poll conducted by Lake Research indicates that 73% of voters want to see a public health insurance option as part of health care reform in 2009. And guess what? It's smart fiscal policy, too. From the Huffington Post :

"A public health insurance plan will have the same effect on health insurance premiums that Southwest Airlines has on airfares when it moves into a new market: all competitors lower prices. The rest of the market players have to scramble to figure out how to lower costs and increase efficiency -- that's what a competitive market is supposed to be about."

The point is to provide a choice of plans. The public health insurance plan would compete, side-by-side, with private plans. And if Medicare -- which is leaner and has lower administrative costs than private insurance -- is any indication, a public plan will promote increased competition and lower costs throughout the health care system. (And if you're looking for hard estimates, check out the Commonwealth Study, which estimated that a public option would reduce health care costs by 20%.)

What's more, the preference for a choice of a public or private plan appeals to everyone -- Republicans (63%), Democrats (77%) and Independents (79%). This week, former DNC chair Howard Dean told the Washington Times that members of Congress who oppose a public option should listen to their constituents on the issue, or else risk suffering at the polls in 2010. Judging by this latest poll, we'd say Dr. Dean is right on the mark.

Read more about the Lake Poll at the Huffington Post here.