Oh thats not fair Kara, i can't understand why homebirth would not be covered under medicare in all states.
Hopefully in future it will be, if all the hard work, lobbying and campaigning by various groups pays off (and it looks like it might be heading that way )

In all reality, I don't mind paying for my homebirth to guarantee that I have continuity of care and achieving a birth on my terms, though if some of it was covered by Medicare that would be great, not only for the monetary benefit, but also just that social acceptance of my choice, instead of being "alternative". I'm loving the service provided by my MW so far, and I'm only 19 weeks. Lots of discussion and education about informed choices (i.e., being presented with all sides of the story, not just what the hospy thinks is best), and I already know a lot about birth and babies as it is (well I think I do, from experience and having my foot in natural birth circles for 3 years). This is service I am paying for and I'm very pleased to be getting a quality service....