Democrats are warning of a surge in the number of uninsured if costly enhanced subsidies for exchange coverage expire as planned at the end of next year.

But exchange coverage is borderline useless to many enrollees. It requires beneficiaries to fork over huge sums before it kicks in and confines them to narrow provider networks. Rather than subsidize “junk” insurance through the exchanges, lawmakers should deregulate the market so insurers can offer health plans that are affordable and efficient without federal subsidies.