Lourin Hubbard and Brent Hennrich welcome Democratic congressional candidate Melanie D'Arrigo to Last Call, where Melanie defends several progressive opinions and talks about her campaign in New York. Check out her campaign at www.darrigo2022.com and get out the vote on August 23!

Melanie D’Arrigo is a healthcare advocate, community organizer, non-profit co-founder and mother of three who believes we need new leaders in Washington who will fight for Long Island and Queens families—not become part of the same broken system.

Melanie was born into an impoverished family on the South Shore of Long Island, and raised in a union household by her grandmother. With grit and determination, Melanie beat the odds and was the first in her family to attend college—working numerous jobs while attending Barnard, and graduating with thousands in student loans.

Melanie earned her Masters of Science degree from the School of Health Professions at Long Island University, and has worked as a healthcare advocate and strategist ever since, teaching children, families and organizations how to live healthier lives, prevent serious medical conditions, and save money. 

As a mother of three, Melanie knows what it’s like to battle the American healthcare system and the workplace as a new mom. While pregnant, Melanie was passed over for a job after the employer saw she was expecting. And when her son Ryan was born and her husband was laid off, Melanie was put on a payment plan — owing the hospital thousands of dollars for having a baby.