They were working to forge a compromise that would let them vote for a landmark U. S. healthcare bill, some anti-abortion House Democrats have said.

Voting will be done by the House on a bill approved by the Senate in December on Sunday.

The Washington Post reported on Saturday that four more House members agreed Friday to support the bill, but votes still were needed from a key bloc of lawmakers who want assurances the $940 billion package would not open the door to federal funding for abortion.

The Post further reported that those key Democratic lawmakers, most of who are from the Midwest and are Roman Catholic, generally support the bill but want changes in how it would handle insurance coverage of abortions.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., said on Friday, "I want to vote for the bill. I just need to take care of a few issues before I can." Oberstar also said that he was studying language in the Senate bill that segregated federal funds from abortion services.

A compromise could persuade most, if not all, of the key bloc to support a final bill, said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. Kaptur said she was encouraged by private talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. (With Inputs from Agencies)