Exhibit 99.1
NEWS
RELEASE
Contacts: Edmund
E. Kroll
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Investor Relations
(212) 759-0382
Sandy McBride
Senior Director, Corporate
Communications
(314) 725-4477
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENTENE
CORPORATION REPORTS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY
ON
CHAIRMAN AND CEO
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (August 9, 2008) —Centene
Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and
CEO, has undergone the successful removal of an abdominal mass and is resting
comfortably. Final pathology revealed that this was a benign lesion and the risk
of recurrence is judged to be extremely low.
David C.
Linehan M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of General Surgery,
Section
of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery of the Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis states: "I anticipate that Mr. Neidorff will be discharged
from the hospital within a few days and I expect a full and complete recovery."
Mr. Neidorff remains in contact with the office and continues to conduct
business during his recovery.
About
Centene Corporation
Centene
Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs
and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including
the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates health
plans in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and
Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and
commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral
health, life and health management, long-term care, managed vision, nurse
triage, pharmacy benefits management and treatment compliance. Information
regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.