The correct comparison between how Medicare taxes are paid by employees and self-employed individuals is:
Employees pay half (1.45%) of the Medicare tax while the employer pays the other half. Self-employed individuals pay for both halves of the tax (2.9%).
Employees contribute 1.45% of their income towards Medicare tax, and their employer matches that with an additional 1.45%, resulting in a total of 2.9%. On the other hand, self-employed individuals pay the full 2.9% themselves as they do not have an employer to contribute.