document.write('<table width=100% cellspacing=1 cellpadding=3 border=0><tr><td align=\'Left\' width=100% left valign=top bgcolor=><font face=Arial size=1 color=#000000><a href=\'http:\/\/www.homebirth.org.au\/absolutenm\/anmviewer.asp?a=133&z=9&isasp=\'target=_blank><b>Senate passes controversial birth bill<\/b><\/a><\/font><br><font face=Arial size=1 color=#000000><i>16\/03\/10<\/i><\/font><br><font face=Arial size=1 color=#000000>MIDWIVES will be able to provide Medicare-funded care for the first time under a dramatic but controversial reform passed by parliament. <br>Coalition senators - previously opposed to changes fear it would drive homebirthing underground - lay down their opposition on Tuesday to allow the draft laws to pass. <br><br>But while the government was lauding the backflip as a major coup, homebirthing advocates were still venting their fury at the laws they say strip expectant mums of basic rights. <\/font><\/td><\/tr><\/table>');