The Maryland Insurance Administration has approved the Cigna‘s acquisition of Bravo Health, a Baltimore, Md.-based operator of Medicare Advantage plans.

Cigna Corp. is buying HealthSpring for $3.8 billion, as the global health insurer expands its reach into the senior and Medicare markets.

HealthSpring plans to create the seventh largest Medicare Advantage plan through its acquisition of Baltimore, Md.-based Bravo Health.

A total of 14 major health insurance companies and their industry association spent 25% more this year to lobby on health care measures before Congress than they did last year, according to a Public Campaign Action Fund analysis.