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

* House passes biggest health overhaul in four decades

* Healthcare battle to move to U.S. Senate

* Vote is big step forward for Obama priority

(Adds details after final vote)

By John Whitesides and Donna Smith

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sweeping healthcare reform bill on Saturday, backing the biggest health policy changes in four decades and handing President Barack Obama a crucial victory.

On a narrow 220-215 vote, including the support of one Republican, the House endorsed a bill that would expand coverage to nearly all Americans and bar insurance practices such as refusing to cover people with pre-existing conditions.

Most Republicans criticized its $1 trillion price tag, new taxes on the wealthy and what they said was excessive government interference in the private health sector.