WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Representative Bart Stupak, who opposes abortion, will vote for healthcare legislation later on Sunday, in a move that could help pave the way for passage of the bill, MSNBC reported.

Stupak and a small number of other anti-abortion Democrats had threatened to vote against the legislation out of concerns that it would allow federal funding of abortions.

Democrats need 216 votes needed to pass the bill over unified Republican opposition in the House. (Reporting by Susan Heavey, editing by Anthony Boadle)