It scraps the public option in favor of a nonprofit plan operated by insurers, but administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which supervises coverage for federal employees.

Another provision includes a cost analysis on extending Medicare coverage to persons 55 and over. Presently, Medicare coverage begins at age 65. Coverage for those age 55 would include a buy-in provision.

Senate leader, Harry Reid said: "The American people will certainly have more choices."

Democratic Senator, Nelson's amendment to tighten the bill's restriction on the use of federal funds for abortion, identical to the House of Representatives last month was killed on a 54 to 45 vote. Reid said he would work with Nelson on the matter.

After months of negotiations, a final bill is on the table. The Senate and House now must merge the two bills and submit the final version to President Obama.

Do you agree with the final version of the health care bill?

The best strategy for President Obama and congressional Democrats regarding health care reform may be to "go it alone" -- to pass a bill that has Democratic Party support, with maybe one or two Republicans.

Further, the era of bipartisan cooperation is over, if it ever really began. The U.S. Congress is as polarized as it ever has been in the post-World War II era, with ideologues dominating each party. President Obama's effort to forge a post-partisan politics was admirable, but it did not get very far, largely due to a Republican Party that's dominated by a conservative base, but also due to a Democratic Party committed to largely liberal goals.