A lawsuit alleging female inmates in Wisconsin receive deficient medical care took another step forward Thursday.

In a class action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, female prisoners at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution argued their rights were violated by severe lapses in medical treatment including inadequate access to doctors and life-threatening gaps in prescription drug treatment.

Prison officials argued they were not aware of such healthcare conditions at the prison and asked Judge Rudolph Randa of the U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, to dismiss the suit.

Randa instead ruled the case should proceed.