State interest in telemedicine--cutting-edge electronics linking underserved, mainly rural, communities, with medical experts in teaching institutions or the private sector--has intensified since the late 1980s. Besides offering a way to consult with specialists in other parts of the country on medical problems or procedures, telemedicine programs allow primary care providers in isolated practice settings to communicate with colleagues and take classes to further their skills--something states hope will convince them to stay put. Today, 39 states have laws or regulations governing telemedicine, and as more research is conducted on existing telemedicine systems, both the private and public sectors are learning how to take full advantage of the benefits that telemedicine has to offer to help improve the delivery of health care services throughout the country.