There are plenty of appealing things about the Florida town in which I live.

Sunny days with just a gentle breeze make every day pleasant while plentiful waterways provide fun activities that take years off your age.

Everywhere you look there are palm trees gracing the scenery and friendly folks waiting to chat.

But there is one major drawback to living here. The health care leaves a lot to be desired.

Twenty years ago when I moved here I didn’t think about health care. And that long ago I’m sure it was probably as least as good as any small town.

What happened in between was a population explosion with people moving here from the all over the country.

It was like putting lobster in boiling water in that the problem wasn’t noticeable until the water got too hot.

For years I learned to try to schedule my medical needs during our off-season. We knew doctors and health care providers would be filled with a crush of snowbirds before they migrated back to their home states.

It was a workable cycle for all of us.

When we had our big hurricane just about 2 years ago, we thought the population growth would slow when people saw the devastation.

Instead, it turned into a siren’s song luring people by the thousands looking for bargains.

There really were very few bargains but that didn’t stop the surge of new buyers.

Nor did they leave during off-season. Instead, they settled here, telling their friends to come join them.

Problem is, the roads are still the same size and there are few medical workers in the influx.

Please indulge me for a minute or two while I try to describe what happened to health care here in Paradise.

In December the doctor sent me for a chest X-ray to see if I had pneumonia. There were no openings for weeks.

When I couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment, over the counter remedies didn’t work and I kept getting worse. Finally when I could no longer breathe I had to drive myself to the emergency department.

Fortunately our new emergency department is first rate. But it’s for emergencies only, not scheduled medical treatment. I was told after my initial treatment there I had to go back to my family doctor within 7 days for follow up.

That was three weeks ago and I still can’t get an appointment for two more weeks.

My primary care doctor is wonderful and she expanded her hours to try to take care of the sick. Between COVID and respiratory infections there is an urgent need for more doctors.

When my husband’s urologist got fed up he left for North Carolina, telling patients he was sorry but he couldn’t find another urologist to take his place.

He mentioned all the other specialists that also left with no replacements.

“It’s your fault,” he said to me. “You people are moving here without making sure there are enough doctors to take care of you.”

I have no idea why he referred to me as “you people” but he never did have any charm.

Our governor just proposed some enticements to lure more doctors to Florida. I’m sure it will help, but not overnight.

I’ve lived in small towns all my life and never felt we lacked good medical care.

In Shamokin, Dr. Vastine and Dr. Davis still made house calls.

Remember house calls? If you were too sick to get to the doctor’s office they came to your home.

When we moved to Palmerton we were lucky enough to have the excellent care of Dr. John Nicholson who was always there for us.

When we needed specialists Lehigh Valley Hospital aptly filled our needs. And I don’t ever remember being told I had to wait months for tests.

The Lehigh Valley area has excellent medical care. My husband and I often say if we come down with something serious we would prefer to be treated in Pennsylvania.

I hope those of you with easy access to excellent medical care appreciate what you have.

Here in Florida, as well as across the nation, some doctors are moving to what they call concierge care. It is a more exclusive form of personalized care that guarantees you will be seen as soon as you call and the doctor can spend more time with you.

But it comes with a stiff price. And most of the concierge doctors don’t accept insurance.

To be part of concierge care a patient pays a set amount up front. It’s usually at least several thousand dollars a year. I talked with a guy who paid $24,000 a year. His conclusion: It was well worth it. He got care as soon as he called and the doctor responded right away whenever he had a question. When he needed a specialist, he didn’t have to find one. The concierge doctor took care of all arrangements.

So, yes, it can be a good thing. But it still rubs me the wrong way to have two different levels of care, one for the rich and one for the rest of us.

Health insurance is expensive enough and all too many can’t afford it.

I’m sure a health care crisis is looming in some parts.

If you’re happy with your medical care and have fairly easy access, just know how fortunate you are.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.