The correct comparison of 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%).
To clarify: Employees have 1.45% of their earnings withheld for Medicare tax, and their employer also contributes an additional 1.45%. In contrast, self-employed individuals are responsible for the full 2.9% Medicare tax, which they calculate on their net earnings from self-employment.