It was done realistically, though. Huntington's doesn't just trigger suddenly, and Thirteen is still pretty young to exhibit any serious symptoms, regardless of the severity. I have no issue with how they handled it. It's perfectly plausible with genetic testing they discovered she would be hit sooner than most and then nothing happen anytime soon (they could've found that when she was born, even).

I don't see focusing on different issues being a cop-out but instead it's another example of realism that seems to fit well with the show as a whole.

However, I, also, don't see House and Cuddy lasting. And the "oh no House might be happy!" fears are exaggerated. The same complaints were heard when he was in therapy, and House didn't suddenly and unrealistically change overnight. House is still a screwed up person who will find some way to smurf things up.