Thanks to Dave at Clinician 1, here is his suggestion for ending the term: "mid-level provider." What do you think? 

Here is a sample of what our message should be. Print it out and mail it ASAP, or even better make up your own message. If you have to-hand write it, but send it off today. As there is no person at this point to communic...ate with, let’s see if we are answered and by whom. I would ask all organizations that agree with us to begin a campaign to effectively end this designation.

Dear Sir or Madam:

As a PA or nurse practitioner I would ask that you to create a new category and please remove my profession out of the “mid level” designation in 21 CFR 1300.01(28). Two national groups have issued statements against this term and many of us find it offensive. Briefly midlevel suggests that there are higher and lower professions. Your thought would obviously be that some professional groups are higher, some lower and some in the middle. It also suggests that our education or level of care might not be the best. Sort of like calling us “Second Place” provider; not at the top but not at the bottom. That is what middle means.

Who do you officially feel is the higher level and as interestingly, who is in the lower level? Midlevel was originally used in the 1970s to describe a place between a physician and a nurse. I think both the NP and PA professions have outgrown and moved past that type of thinking.

Please omit this language to describe PAs and NPs as soon as possible. Both professions find it offensive and please call us NPs and PAs, or prescribers.

I look forward to your response.
Thanks,
YOUR NAME, TITLE ADDRESS, EMAIL

Mail that letter to the address below and let’s see if we get any action. If you don’t, maybe they are right. Maybe we deserve to be in the middle.
Drug Enforcement Administration
ATTN: Chief--Liaison and Policy Section/ODL
8701 Morrissette Drive
Springfield, Virginia 22152
Phone is (202) 307-7297