AUSTIN, Texas, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael D. McKinney, M.D., has been
appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Centine Texas, a subsidiary
of Centene Corporation.
    In his capacity as Centine's President and CEO, Dr. McKinney will be
responsible for developing and directing, in conjunction with the company's
joint venture partners, the statewide activities of Superior Health Plan.
    Appointed by Gov. George Bush, Dr. McKinney served three years as Texas
Health & Human Services Commissioner.
    Centine Texas holds the management contract for Superior Health Plan, Inc.
and is a joint partner with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers
(TACHC).  Superior Health Plan is a managed care company specializing in
providing quality health care for Medicaid patients.
    TACHC Executive Director Jose Comacho said, "We are thrilled to have an
opportunity to work in this way with Dr. McKinney, who is one of the most
knowledgeable and respected leaders in Texas health care.
    "It is this quality of individual who will ensure Superior Health Plan
will meet its objectives and mission to provide quality health care to
Texans."
    Michael F. Neidorff, President and CEO of Centene Corporation, said, "Dr.
McKinney's outstanding career and personal integrity speaks for itself.  With
his leadership, we are confident that Centine Texas will quickly become a
leader in managed government services health care."
    Centene Corporation, a government services managed care company, also has
health plans in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
    Before being appointed by Gov. Bush, Dr. McKinney was the Medical Director
and Vice President of a private insurance company, which runs claims payment
for the Texas Medicaid program.  He also was a family practitioner in
Centerville, Texas for 16 years.
    From 1984 to 1991, Dr. McKinney served as a member of the Texas House of
Representatives and was Speaker Pro-Tempore from 1989 to 1990.  As a
legislator he received many awards and was cited as one of the "Ten Most
Effective Legislators" and "Ten Best Legislators."
    He received his Doctor of Medicine degree with honors from the University
of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, and his Bachelor of Science
degree with honors from the University of Houston.
    Dr. McKinney and his wife and children will continue to reside in
Austin.