Call them the "dueling health care proposals" in the House.

In response to the Democrats' massive 1,990-page bill, designed to bring health care coverage to millions of uncovered Americans unveiled last week, House Republicans have drafted their own health care reform bill, which seems to protect the interests of big insurance companies more than the Democratic version.

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House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he expected to have the Democratic bill on the floor Friday or Saturday and would allow Republicans the opportunity to offer their alternative health care reform bill as an amendment to the Democratic measure.

The health care legislation is President Barack Obama's top legislative priority to reduce costs while increasing the number of Americans getting health coverage.

The Democratic bill is more sweeping in its changes and focuses on expanding coverage while requiring people to buy insurance with the aid of government payments, while the Republican bill is focused on lowering costs and doesn't require people to buy insurance.

Another difference between the bills is that the Democratic version prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions, while the Republican version would allow insurers to continue denying coverage to some.

In another Republican provision that favors insurers, the GOP bill caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases.

The Republican draft stands in stark contrast to the type of change President Obama has asked for in pushing health care reform. Luckily, Democrats enjoy a huge voting advantage in the House, so the Republican alternative should get a hearing by the lawmakers -- and little more.