Pregnant people who choose homebirth services, be they public (HSE) or private are being denied the free GP care promised to all. This is because insurance company Medisec (who monopolise insurance for GPs in Ireland) now refuse to cover GPs maternity care for homebirth patients. This is despite the fact GPs are not present at the homebirth, and essentially have nothing to do with it. Homebirthers only require the same GP care offered to those availing of hospital birth - sporadic blood pressure examination, urine checks etc - nothing extra is needed or wanted. We don't ask for any special treatment - we just want what every other pregnant person is getting.