Assuming it is, how do people contracting with surrogate mothers get around the “I’m buying your baby” aspect of the transaction regarding legalities?
Because the people arranging for the services of a surrogate aren’t buying the baby. Usually, in this kind of arrangement, the parents have donated the egg and sperm and are merely “using” the surrogate’s womb.
Generally, in a private adoption, any fees are intended to cover expenses of clothing, food, and so forth that the birth mother has to incur. It is possible to buy separate medical insurance for the birth mother to cover OB and hospital expenses, although the fee paid to the birth mother might cover those as well. The adoptive parents can arrange for adoption insurance in case the birth mother decides to renege on the deal.
So, the short of it is that the adoptive parents (or the people arranging for the surrogate) aren’t “buying” the baby; they’re merely compensating the birth mother for the extra expenses involved in being pregnant, plus a little something for the inconvenience.
And, yes, it is illegal in the US to buy and sell babies.
Robin
Hell yes!
And next time, be more careful when you organise your rummage sale. 
I want to buy your women…your little girl, your daughters. Sell them to me. Sell me your children.