Centene Corporation
             
Exhibit 12.1
 
Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
                 
($ in thousands)
                 
     
For the Nine Months Ended
Year Ended December 31,
     
     
9/30/2008
 
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Earnings:
                 
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
   
 $       100,546
 
 $         63,636
 $           33,582
 $     57,387
 $         69,429
 $     51,893
Addback:
                 
Fixed charges
   
            17,528
 
            20,863
              14,402
          6,338
             2,951
          1,232
   Total earnings
   
 $       118,074
 
 $         84,499
 $           47,983
 $     63,724
 $         72,380
 $     53,125
                   
Fixed Charges:
                 
Interest expense
   
 $         12,436
 
 $         15,626
 $           10,636
 $       3,990
 $             680
 $          194
Interest component of rental payments (1)
   
             5,092
 
              5,237
                3,766
          2,348
             2,271
          1,038
   Total fixed charges
   
 $         17,528
 
 $         20,863
 $           14,402
 $       6,338
 $           2,951
 $       1,232
                   
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
   
               6.74
 
                4.05
                 3.33
10.05
24.53
43.12
                   
Dollar amount of deficiency
   
                    -
 
                     -
                       -
                 -
                    -
                 -
                   
                   
                   
(1)  Estimated at 33% of rental expense as a reasonable approximation of the interest factor.