Analysis
While the wealthy in the U.S. may have better access to healthcare due to financial means, this is not equivalent to 'socialized medicine,' which refers to government-run healthcare systems. The U.S. does not have socialized medicine for any group; it primarily relies on private insurance, including for the affluent. Sanders' claim implies a systemic equivalence that does not exist.
Background
Socialized medicine typically means a healthcare system where the government owns and operates facilities and employs healthcare professionals, funded by taxation (e.g., the UK's NHS). In the U.S., even the wealthy rely on private insurance or out-of-pocket payments, not a government-run system.
Verdict summary
The statement oversimplifies healthcare access for the wealthy and conflates it with socialized medicine.