ST. PAUL — The state said about 64,000 people will be dropped from public health insurance in Minnesota, mainly for failing to submit necessary paperwork.

The Department of Human Services said about 134,500 Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare case were up for renewal this month.  DHS said renewal forms that were submitted near the Dec. 19 deadline may not have been processed quick enough to stop a closure notice from being sent to the enrollee.

Medical Assistance covers people with incomes at or below the poverty line while MinnesotaCare provides coverage for a slightly-higher income group. The public health insurance programs provide coverage for about 1 million state residents.