(For full coverage of U.S. healthcare reform, click [nN20512341])

* Obama visits Capitol to woo Democrats on close vote

* Vote on bill's abortion provisions adds to uncertainty

* Final vote expected late on Saturday

(Adds debate quotes, background)

By John Whitesides and Donna Smith

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a broad healthcare reform bill on Saturday as they prepared for a close vote on the biggest changes in health policy in four decades.

House Democratic leaders said they were confident they would have the 218 votes needed for approval after striking a middle-of-the-night deal with foes of abortion rights.

The healthcare overhaul cleared its first hurdle when Democrats easily approved, on a 242-192 vote, a procedural rule setting the terms of the debate. It was the first test of support for the measure.