Is a private medical provider under contract with the state a state actor?

2 The appellees argue that as professional doctors without custodial or supervisory authority over prisoners, they, like public defenders, do not act under color of state law and are not subject to suit under section 1983. A private medical doctor under contract with a state to provide medical services to inmates, however, is a state actor for purposes of section 1983. West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 54 (1988) (distinguishing Polk County v. Dodson, 454 U.S. 312 (1981)); Lopez v. Department of Health Servs., 939 F.2d 881, 883 (9th Cir.1991) (per curiam).