Full Breakdown
Indiana Ends Routine Hospital Ambulance Diversion
9/1/2026, 11:32:30 AM
New Policy Halts Routine Diversion of Ambulances
Starting in September, Indiana hospitals will no longer be permitted to place themselves “on diversion” for routine overcrowding. The change restricts diversion to only disaster situations or critical infrastructure failures. The Indiana Department of Health announced the rule change in a late-August news release, noting that the state will become the third in the nation to end the practice after Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Hospital diversion occurs when staff determine they cannot safely accommodate additional patients, often because of space or staffing constraints, and has been criticized for adding minutes to emergency transport times.
Background and Context
Indiana has used diversion policies for roughly 25 years, with usage spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Governor Eric Holcomb required hospitals to report diversion duration and bed availability, but the data were not made public, leaving the overall impact difficult to assess. The new rule follows a collaborative effort among the Indiana Department of Health, the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of EMS Physicians, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana EMS Commission, the Indiana Hospital Association, the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, the Indiana Emergency Nurses Association, the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Association, and the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Official Statements & Responses
State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver described the policy as a “huge accomplishment for Hoosiers,” emphasizing that the decision resulted from joint work among emergency-care stakeholders. Eskenazi Health spokesperson LayShae Buckner said the health system does not anticipate operational changes because its major emergency department has historically avoided diversion. IU Health’s senior public-relations consultant Michele Holtkamp expressed support for the decision, noting that the system has been preparing for the change and remains focused on timely, coordinated care.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ending diversion practices was a joint decision among those who work in emergency care,” — Dr. Lindsay Weaver, state health commissioner
- “As a major emergency department in Central Indiana, a Level 1 trauma center serving the state, and a regional burn center, it has been our practice not to go on diversion,” — Buckner, spokesperson
- “IU Health supports the decision to limit EMS diversion to best serve patients, and our hospitals and team members are ready,” — Michele Holtkamp, Senior Public Relations Consultant for IU Health
- “This is a huge accomplishment for Hoosiers. Ending diversion practices was a joint decision among those who work in emergency care. Unfortunately, we saw a significant increase in crowd-based emergency services diversion during the pandemic. Since that time, partners have been working diligently to get to today,” — Indiana State Health Commissioner
Impact and Outlook
Proponents expect the rule to reduce transport delays and improve continuity of care for emergency patients. Ongoing collaboration among health-care providers and state agencies is planned to develop additional solutions for emergency-department crowding.
