Is Luck Really a Health Plan?

Super Bowl commercials are renowned for being some of the most comedic commercials in American history. Their use of irony as well as other satirical elements appeals the the audience, giving commercials a reason for watching, for once. During the Super Bowl last Sunday, a commercial aired for the "Luck Health Plan." This commercial exhibits extreme satire. The "Luck Health Plan" is a parody of a health care plan, displaying both situational and verbal irony. The "Luck Health Plan" also has a website filled with hyperboles and irony as well. Through its satirical comedy, the "Luck Health Plan" makes viewers aware of the true need for health coverage.

The "Luck Health Plan" commercial is anything but lacking irony. In the commercial, the narrator introduces by stating, "now here's a health plan..." He later states, "a plan with no health care of any kind." This is an example of situational irony because when first introduced to the "Luck Health Plan," the audience assumes that this plan must include health care, which is the opposite of what the plan truly is. Its catchphrase, "You'll be okay. Probably," is an instance of verbal irony as although the commerical appears to be in support of the "Luck Health Plan," it is truly aimed at showing the need for every American to have a health care plan. The commercial is not enforcing that, "You'll be okay." It is enforcing the exact opposite: without health care, one is helpless. Another instance of situational irony is present throughout the commercial as the participants of the "Luck Health Plan" are wrapped in homemade neck braces and eyepatches. This is ironic because the commercial is an ad for a health care plan, yet it shows people who have the plan with horrible health.

The "Luck Health Plan" website is equally as satirical as the commercial. On the website, it encourages viewers to, "choose one of these smiley spokespeople to represent you!" This is satirical as it is an example of situational irony: the people enforcing the health care plan have horrible health themselves. This is additionally an instance of hyperbole as the injuries are exaggerated and appear to be severe or rare incidents.

The "Luck Health Plan" is not for pure amusement. The plan is aimed for a specific goal. Through its use of irony and hyperbole, "Get Covered Illinois," the creator of the commercial, attracts viewers. This, in turn, persuades viewers to get a true health care plan. "Get Cover Illinois" specifically states on the website that, "luck is not a health plan. It’s time to get real, quality health coverage you can actually afford." By showing a comedic commercial of people relying solely on luck for health coverage, "Get Covered Illinois" portrays the idea that not having health care is an unimaginable act, therefore persuading America to buy a health care plan, creating a better America. 

Luck Health Care Plan -- Commercial