The state of Arizona could soon be forced to publicly report which nursing homes are treating coronavirus outbreaks. 

A group of Arizona news organizations filed a special action Tuesday in the Maricopa County Superior Court in a move to force the Arizona Department of Health Services to release information about coronavirus cases in nursing homes, AZCentral reported.

Under an executive order signed by Gov. Doug Ducey (R) in April, providers are currently required to file weekly reports to the state regarding the number of COVID-19-positive residents. They’re also required to report transfers to and from hospitals and information regarding how much, what kind and its estimated use of personal protective equipment. 

“We are conforming with all that is currently required, including the recent executive order of the governor regarding family, resident and staff notification,” David Voepel, executive director of the Arizona Health Care Association, told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. He added that his organization supports transparency in compliance with any new requirement to provide the public with information. 

“Despite the enormous challenges Arizona long-term care providers are faced with, including shortages of staff, testing and PPE, they are doing extraordinary work to address the needs of the vulnerable resident population,” he said, 

The state’s health agency has decided not to publicly report coronavirus cases in nursing homes, citing patient privacy concerns. The news organizations claim that the state has not provided a clear basis for not publicly reporting nursing home outbreaks and that it should not be allowed to “rely on global generalities or blanket rules to withhold public records,” according to the report. 

“While ADHS appreciates your request and shares your priority of transparency, we also have overarching legal and public health responsibilities, including a responsibility to protect the privacy of Arizonans’ health-related data,” Administrative Counsel Robert Lane wrote in a letter defending the state’s stance.