Post your question for, wait for it, Hillary Clinton...

[JustineMumsnet]

UPDATE: Watch Hillary's answers to your questions - scroll down to the bottom of the OP!

Yes, really. No, we're not kidding. Hillary Clinton - the former US Secretary of State, former First Lady and rumoured likely Democratic presidential candidate for 2016 - is visiting the UK this week to talk about her new book, Hard Choices: her memoir of her time in office as President Obama's agent overseas, after running against him for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 election. As Secretary of State, she was arguably the most powerful woman in the world for four years; if she were to revive her bid for the presidency and succeed Obama to the White House in two years' time, there'd be no contest. And this Friday, she'll be answering your questions.

Unsurprisingly, her time is strictly limited to 20 mins per session with the world's media, so rather than the usual webchat format, we figured we'd cover more ground by putting your questions to her on camera. We reckon we'll have time for about eight questions, depending on length, so in order to make sure that we ask the ones you'd most like to have answered, Tech have created a tool whereby you can nominate your favourite. Please do read through the thread and cast your vote - you can see the top 10 questions, ranked by number of votes, in the box to the right. We'll take the top eight along with us on Friday morning, and get the video up on site as quickly as possible.

So: what is it you've always wanted to ask Hillary Clinton? Now's your chance! And remember just one question each, please, or we'll be confused about what we're voting for.

UPDATE: Hillary answers your questions...

[juneau]

And, I should add, not just any woman (since there are some really scary female politicians in the Republican party), but YOU!

[elastamum]

Of 17 high-income countries studied by the National Institutes of Health in 2013, the United States had the highest or near-highest prevalence of infant mortality, heart and lung disease, sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancies, injuries, homicides, and disability. Together, such issues place the U.S. at the bottom of the list for life expectancy.

Question: How would you continue to reform healthcare in the US to ensure better access to healthcare for all US citizens?

[PetiteRaleuse]

Which woman in the public eye, past or present, has been most inspirational to you?

Good luck for the 2016 elections, I really hope you stand.

[Ladyfoxglove]

This is really interesting. My question would be:

If you did revive your bid for presidency and became president, which issue would be your primary focus whilst in office?

[minipie]

Dear Hillary

What are your views about the wave of anti-abortion laws coming in in various states, and what do you think the US government should do about it?

Thanks

Minipie

(Yeah, obviously she's not going to answer this one, but worth a try...)

[MostWicked]

Hilary, how do you feel about America being the only country in the world, that gives children who have committed a crime, full life sentences without the possibility of parole?


Huge admirer of Hilary. Will be watching this with interest.

[AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore]

I know that many Americans were unhappy with "Obamacare," however I have lived in the US and in the UK, and I have seen the amazing difference made by the NHS.

With healthcare the NHS way, where it is free at the point of service:

• people are not tied to their jobs by their insurance, leaving them in a better financial position
  
• people do not have to worry about being made bankrupt by a hospital stay
  
• people go in to receive timely medical care, rather than waiting until it's emergent. Catching things early and receiving treatment early is better for the patient and less expensive!
  
• workman's comp is not the nightmare here in the UK that it is in the US, as there is no quibbling over where the person needs to be treated or where the bills need to be sent.
  
• better chance of pregnant women (especially those in lower incomes) going for regular medical care during pregnancies, which means better maternity care overall, as they don't have to worry about the bill
  
• children get free prescriptions, parents can always make sure they have their medical needs seen to, regardless of their income.
  
• parents with premature babies don't need to worry about insurance limits on coverage or any type of financial issue - they can focus on their baby instead.
  

The US is a nightmare of insurance copays, huge bills for emergency illness or injury, people locked into jobs due to their particular medical insurance, people having to change providers when their insurance changes, horrendous prescription fees.

Do you think that the US can ever learn from the UK and put in place some sort of programme similar to the NHS or are they doomed by the big insurance businesses' interests to the detriment of many who cannot afford the medical care they need?

[worldgonecrazy]

America has huge problems with racial tensions in a way that isn't seen in many other Westernised countries. Do you think the intense focus America seems to place on the colour of a person's skin actually contributes to racial tensions?

(And wow, just wow.)

[FiveExclamations]

How do you feel about the influence of religion on education, specifically schools teaching creationism and schools in Louisiana and Tennessee opting out of teaching evolution?

[FiveExclamations]

Disclaimer: Though different articles seem to disagree about how many schools and what they are actually teaching.

[TwoLeftSocks]

Wow! Brilliant guest, I'd vote for you if I could Hillary!

My question... What do you think would it take, or what needs to change to get gender equality in politics?

[Halfling]

What in your opinion is the most worrying crisis/issue across the world and what can be done about it?

[RonSwansonsLushMoustache]

Hi Hillary

Do you foresee any improvement in the futures of Iraq and Syria?

Good luck in 2016.

[AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore]

Now, see, I always get frustrated when people ask her about staying with her husband. If she was a man in politics, would she have been asked about the wife cheating and the decision to stay together? I suspect not.

[Tournesol]

Great guest MN!

I would ask: Does it frustrate you that you are always judged as a 'woman politician' rather than just as a politician?

And yes, do please stand in 2016!

[LosBreakingBad]

Hillary
What would you do to further the provision of a single, free health care system for all?

[TheOldestCat]

Wow!

I'd ask: "Knowing all you now know - as a senior statesperson, a former First Lady and a working parent - would you advise Chelsea to go into politics?"

[jonicomelately]

Hello Hillary.

Most people here in he UK have a love/hate relationship with the National Health Service. In view of your ongoing overhaul of US healthcare provision, what lessons, good or bad, do you take from our system?

[jonicomelately]

X-posted with a few other posters!

[tribpot]

Hillary - I'm enjoying your new book very much. You argue in it for the important role that the US can play in promoting good governance in other countries around the world. What role do you see other countries being able to play in similarly influencing changes in the US?

[TallGiraffe]

If you and Elizabeth Warren both go for the nomination, do you think it is possible for the focus from the media to be on your politics and policies rather than on "being women"?

[wtffgs]

Just wow MN!

Hillary, how can you stay true to your healthcare improvement principles when you and the Democrats will be tied to the wishes of wealthy donors whose funds you need but who oppose "socialist" reform of healthcare? This is where Obama has struggled. Why would you be any different?

[Itsfab]

Bit personal to ask why someone didn't have another child.

[donnie]

Hillary: what advice or comments would you offer to young females (such as my 12 year old daughter) who are interested in political and international issues but put off by the huge male domination of the field?

Thanks. . I worship you, BTW.