A State of Florida law that urges nursing home workers and their managers to report unusual or harmful activities is stirring controversy among activists for the elderly. Since the law was approved last spring, employees from the state's 678 nursing homes have submitted over 4,000 reports to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Activists are questioning why only 99 of these reports have led to on-site investigations. Groups such as the Coalition to Protect America's Elders and the First Amendment Foundation also wonder why the reports have been kept from the public.

Watchdog groups say the reports should be made public. They contend that there is no benefit in keeping the reports secret.

Spokespeople for the AHCA disagree, claiming that making the reports public record could dissuade employees from filing a complaint because of fear of punishment from employers. AHCA officials say "overreporting" is to blame for so few on-site investigations.