The correct comparison of how Medicare taxes are paid by employees versus 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%).
This accurately reflects that employees pay a total of 1.45% each (with their employer contributing an additional 1.45%), while self-employed individuals pay the full 2.9% themselves.