Alternative plans? You mean something like democrat lite? And if they did offer a democrat lite plan like you said it would never get repealed and more than likely it would get expanded.
The Republicans should have presenting a plan that ensures the ongoing viability of private insurance, well before the 2008 elections. So long as there is affordable private insurance, we'll never have a single-payer system. But, as it stands right now, the GOP doesn't even have the votes to be obstructionists. Health care is the SOLE reason that the Dems promised Specter that he wouldn't be challenged in the Dem primary.
Since the GOP has virtually no power to offer amendments in the House and they've lost the filibuster in the Senate, whatever the Dems want, short of single payer is going to happen. But, as this vieo points out, the Dems are going to write legislation that eventually puts the private insurers out of business - fait accompli.
If the GOP would have had a plan that the base could've rallied around and promoted, other than the status quo, perhaps there would be some hope. But, now the GOP is labeled the "do nothing" party and the Dems get to enjoy being the party of answers and ideas.