House Democrats are moving toward consideration of a sweeping healthcare reform bill this week.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is confident Democrats have the votes to pass the measure.

Democratic leaders say they will allow debate on a Republican alternative healthcare bill, though it has not been published yet. Democrats control 256 seats in the 435-member House.

They'll need 218 to pass healthcare reform. Similar efforts are ongoing in the Senate, but no date has been set to begin debate.

House and Senate health insurance reform bills both include provisions for a government-run public option.

Healthcare reform is President Obama's top legislative priority this year.