### Question
What does physician mean?


### Answer
**Physician** has the following meaning in *18 U.S.C. § 1531*:

> a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the State in which the doctor performs such activity, or any other individual legally authorized by the State to perform abortions: *Provided, however,* That any individual who is not a physician or not otherwise legally authorized by the State to perform abortions, but who nevertheless directly performs a partial-birth abortion, shall be subject to the provisions of this section

#### Citation:
  - *18 U.S.C. § 1531*
  - Heading: **PART I-CRIMES > CHAPTER 74-PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS**

