* Democrats hunt for votes on healthcare reform

* Critics question value of hospital deal

* Republican says more time may be needed (Adds quotes from Baucus, pars 18-19)

By Donna Smith and David Alexander

WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - Critics assailed the Obama administration on Wednesday for a deal with hospitals meant to cut costs, and a top Republican said the U.S. Senate may need more than a planned month to pass a bipartisan healthcare reform bill.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid met with key Republicans on the issue while supporters of healthcare reform searched for ways to bring down the plan's price tag of at least $1 trillion and pay for it without raising taxes on the middle class and poor.

"Our strong preference is to pass a bipartisan bill that lowers crushing health care costs for the middle class," Reid said after the meeting, adding that he "looked forward to more Republicans joining us at the negotiating table."

Senator Charles Grassley, the senior Republican on the Finance Committee, said that the Democrats' goal of passing a bill before the monthlong August recess might not be met.

"Bipartisan talks are going to continue, and not continue under a very hard timeline," Grassley said.