The recession dramatically slowed U.S. health-care spending to $2.3 trillion in 2008, but it still grew much faster than the economy as a whole, accounting for more than 16 percent of the nation's economic output, a new federal analysis says.

The eye-popping figure of $2.3 trillion - that's $7,681 per person - underscores the challenges confronting President Barack Obama and lawmakers seeking to overhaul the system.